This exciting documentary about The Doors and more specifically their frontman, Jim Morrison proves both tragic and entertaining. There is a little too much hero-worship going on here to make this documentary really insightful but it is, nevertheless, worth a watch. Director, Tom DiCillo certainly has a flair for style and perfectly captures and admires the sexual energy that made Jim Morrison a star.
The film traces The Doors from their inception, through their highs and ends with the ultimate low of Morrison’s tragic fall from grace. When You’re Strange is full of humour, respect and love for the music and the man. The unfortunate inclusion of some very odd short films interspersed throughout the film unsettles and distracts the audience in some parts, which is a shame because otherwise this is a decent, if a little fluffy depiction of a man and the band, and movement he spearheaded.
Words: Charlene Lydon
