The opening and closing courtroom scenes, in which brother Sumner is granted legal guardianship, show a family in need of healing, mentally and spiritually.
75
Christian Science MonitorPeter Rainer
Christian Science MonitorPeter Rainer
Complexly intriguing documentary about psychedelic rock icon Roky Erickson.
75
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
Like "Crumb" or "The Devil and Daniel Johnston," it's remarkably close-up moviemaking, with family secrets laid bare for all the world to see.
Luckily, the director Keven McAlester keeps Mr. Erickson's humanity front and center. He lets music critics and musicians praise Mr. Erickson's smiling banshee voice (which influenced Janis Joplin) and pioneering use of feedback, but he doesn't insist on his subject's genius or oversell his importance.
60
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
I came to this expecting a standard rock doc, but its cobwebbed tale of an aged parent and grown child's debilitating relationship seems closer to "Grey Gardens."
60
Film Threat
Film Threat
A great meld of rock history, the sociological and familial impacts of mental disability and some courtroom intrigue.
50
Village Voice
Village Voice
Director Keven McAlester's film is entertaining. But with battered archival footage and celebrity worship, McAlester skimps on perspective and complexity.