Julian Temple's trademark cut-and-paste collage style of documentary, seen to great effect in such films as The Filth and the Fury (2000) and Oil City Confidential (2009), here captures a portrait of rock 'n roll icon, John Mellor, better known as Joe Strummer. Strummer's tale makes compelling viewing. The editing of archived interviews of the singer, spliced against footage of protest from old Pathe newsreels mixed with people retelling their memories of Joe, makes for a film full of heart.
There are a lot of contradictions on show, a lot of punk's battles glimpsed and reported on. Nothing as shallow as a polemic is ever pushed. The strands of celluloid twist and confuse. So we recoil at the hypocrisy of the status quo but often flinch at the idiocy and vicious edge of a punk scene constantly being remade for capitalist gain.
Joe Strummer's passion is remarkable. He clearly had a lot to say. This film is as much about life and love and having a good time as it is about pop music. It's a very bold, passionate and inspiring film, full of feeling, that I recommend.