A drama based on Jimi Hendrix's life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.
Biopics are tricky ... Rare are the good ones, right ? Well, All is By My Side disappointed me ...
Not enough backstory, incomplete and uninformative situations (the depiction of domestic violence has been decried as false by Etchingham) and dialogues, no emotional core, no heart. Just an assemblage of vignettes that don't add to the story and give us no insight of any depth into Jimi's psyche and inner life.
Also there isn't even one single great scene ... (I mean you know every good movie has at least one scene that struck you !).
However, André Benjamin captured Jimi Hendrix in a strong performance and the direction totally nailed the 60's look and feel.
Unfortunately the acting and art department weren't enough to save it for me ...
PS Don't plan on hearing Purple Haze, Foxy Lady, The Wind Cries Mary, Manic Depression, ... as John Ridley couldn't get approval to use any Hendrix songs in this film. (The movie concerns Hendrix BEFORE his debut album anyway.)
ALL IS BY MY SIDE, JOHN RIDLEY (2013)