‘It Might Get Loud’: Real guitar heroes
“It Might Get Loud” is a documentary filmmaker’s dream project: Pick an artist whose work you really love, then get them to let you hang out and film them talking about how and why they do what they do.
In the case of director Davis Guggenheim (Oscar winner for “An Inconvenient Truth”), his object of desire was a group of three electric guitarists: Jimmy Page, The Edge of U2 and Jack White of the White Stripes, Raconteurs and Dead Weather.
Two out of three isn’t bad.
Guggenheim constructs the film like a gunslingers’ shoot-out – a generational confrontation between hot-fingered masters. What it becomes is a kind of guitar summit, with the three of them sitting around in overstuffed chairs on a platform in the middle of an L.A. soundstage, talking about electric guitars and playing them.
Their discussion inevitably leads to demonstrations – Page ripping out the fuzztone thunder of “Whole Lotta Love” or The Edge (real name: David Evans) demonstrating how he gets that distinctive tone to his lead on “In the Name of Love.”
The summit is punctuated by Guggenheim’s real work: getting each of them alone on their own turf, to talk about the early days, the people and music that shaped them, the sounds they still listen to, the dreams they still chase.
Aside from a couple of guitar technicians, who point out the bank of buttons and switches that help process The Edge’s sound, there are really no interviews with anyone else to put these musicians into perspective. Instead, Guggenheim relies on their memories of their early days, illustrated by archival footage: of Page as a young skiffle musician and Yardbird; of The Edge in the early big-hair days of U2; and of White with the White Stripes and the Raconteurs.
But mostly Guggenheim lets these guys speak for themselves or chat with each other. On that score, it’s far from a meeting of equals.
Page is the elder statesman, his longish gray hair swept back, a mysterious smile perpetually on his lips. He’s self-assured in the way an icon should be, though his quiet confidence is less interesting than his ongoing curiosity about his compatriots in the film.
The Edge is hardly voluble, but the guy has the Irish gift of pithiness and wit. Again, like Page, he’s not full of himself – nothing to prove, really. His love of playing is always evident.
And then there’s Jack White, who doesn’t ruin the film for me but comes close. It’s not his music or his playing I object to – I’m unaware of another 21st-century guitarist who has developed as strong a rep as a guitarist as quickly as he has.
His personality is another matter: alternately smug and brash, cocky and aggressive. White is smart enough to know that, in this group, he’s got the most to prove. But he’s not canny enough to lay off the braggadocio and posturing. His nasal, whiny speaking voice and goofy, asymmetrical Prince Valiant hairdo (and those overly precious hipster hats) don’t help.
Fortunately, only a third of “It Might Get Loud” is devoted to White. It’s more than you wish Guggenheim had included – but not so much as to spoil the pleasures of this rocking little treasure of a movie.
August 12th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
You are put off by the fact that the greatest guitar player of this generation is “smug and brash, cocky and aggressive”? Wait, you’re right Jimmy Page (or any other great) was a model of humility in his prime, and he always dressed as not to draw attention. Good point.
August 13th, 2009 at 4:08 am
Two out of the three guitarists don’t step on stage unless there’s a huge pay-out. One of these guitarists voluntarily, happily and consistently plays in tiny venues for a very low price. I think you need to reconsider your interpretation of Jack White. (And if you’re going to call out Jack on his “precious hipster hat,” why not call out The Edge on his “precious beanies.”)
August 14th, 2009 at 2:18 am
jack white was trembling before jimmy page how can you have called him cocky at all?i don’t think you were watching this movie, i don’t get how an idiot can write a column called \movies for smart people.\ why could you not just enjoy the music and the behind the scenes instead of finding little bits and pieces to critisize?
August 14th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Hey, have you ever heard of the saying, “It takes all different kinds of people to makeup this world?” I rellish at the thought that you went to view a movie that highlights the lives and talents of three guitarists and what struck your memory was Jacks arrogance. Yes, I will also admit he does not have the most personable attitude, but he has the talent to back it up. Give in to the fact that he is younger and will be more inmature than Page and The Edge.
August 15th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Actually, I couldn’t agree more with your review. I enjoyed Mr. White’s playing and appreciate his art, but he almost ruined the film for me too. Perhaps it’s because I’m an old fart and I think of U2 as “little brother” music…. but I don’t think so. It was a personality thing.
August 15th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Have to agree - I attended the LA opening last night with several others, including a Q&A with the film’s director and editor after the show. Lovely film, but frustratingly edited. We all wished there had been more actual playing, a whole lot more time with Jimmy and a whole lot less Jack. The editor admitted at that, at the start of the project, he was quite familiar with Jack but knew nothing about Led Zep (?) Pity. Few have had a chance at getting Jimmy to open up so warmly and engagingly like this on camera, yet just when it seemed we were getting into some rich history from a legendary performer, the editor over and over cuts to the talented but tiresomely self-absorbed young Jack, who tried way, way too hard to prove he’s so very very old school. Like dwelling on the thoughts of a promising yet raw and not terribly respectful rookie while the wise, aged Babe Ruth sits quietly waiting his turn. Seemed a wasted opportunity. But there is apparently another 4 hours of film that might be included in the future DVD release (including the 3 of them playing Kashmir) among other tunes. We can only hope the editor keeps his hands in his pockets and lets it run uncut.
August 17th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
You don’t like his hat and hair? I don’t like your glasses and cheesy mustache.
Meek and mild personalities don’t headline Madison Sq Garden with nothing but a guitar and mediocre drummer…neither do the other two artists btw.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:46 am
Movies for ‘Smart People’–how pretentious is that?!
Nonetheless, I felt the flim was disjointed and a wasted opportunity. Poor conceived. Count your blessings that we didn’t have to endure John Mayer instead of JW, though Mayer would’ve been comedically funny. Imagine the posturing. Jack White was nervous, cocky in moments but nervous around Jimmy Page, yes.
August 29th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I must agree with the reviewer’s comments about Jack Black. The movie might have worked better had the director pulled some guitarist from a bar band, in all seriousness.
August 30th, 2009 at 4:21 am
Your looks are similar to those of a pedophile, and yet, I choose not to judge you by your creepy I-am-you-uncle-so-please-don’t-tell-anyone exterior. I suggest you do the same for Jack White.
October 4th, 2009 at 1:50 am
jack black is in this movie too? far out! hey Dr mary pat, you’re a Dr douche bag. back to the “Christ In Every Home” replica wailing wall with you, doc.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Man, Jack White and Jimmy Page made this movie! As an actual musician, There was not one bit of inspiration the entire film coming from \The Edge.\ All he had to say throughout the film was BS, and musically only had delay driven drivel to contribute. This film would’ve been a lot better with Jimmy Page (The elder statesman), Jack White (the younger, but blues fueled prodigy) and insert a medium more like Tom Morello, or something else. The Edge only talked about having some crappy high school band that eventually made it big, and wow does he use a lot of effects pedals. It was obvious throughout the movie that we couldn’t hang musically at all with the other two players. U2 sucks!
December 15th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
You got it way wrong… I saw no arrogance in Jack what so ever, what I did see was a musician that was totally in awe of his idol Jimmy page. The expression on Jack’s face when Jimmy starts into the classic riff from Whole lot of Love says it all. Having grown up on Led Zeppelin, I can relate a lot more to what Jack White is doing musically than what “The Edge” and U2 are doing. For me the movie fell short, I wanted to see a lot more jamming and more “tricks of the trade” being passed around. To be honest the movie had so much potential when I saw the trailer but fell way short of my expectation.