Crossfire Hurricane (2012) * *

Directed by:  Brett Morgen

Starring:  The Rolling Stones

To date, I can think of three major concert films starring the Stones (Gimme Shelter, Let's Spend The Night Together, and Shine A Light).   Throw in all kinds of documentaries, interviews, newspaper articles, and I'm wondering why Crossfire Hurricane was even necessary.   The documentary, which can be seen on HBO, is a meandering look at the Stones in the 60s and 70s.   Is there a part two on the way?  After all, the Stones did perform and make albums in the 80s as well.  

The voiceover portions by the members of the Stones are taken from recent interviews in which the cameras weren't allowed to record the interview.    I won't begin to speculate as to why this is.    But the film was made to commemorate the group's 50th anniversary and it starts off in 1962 showing early footage of early concerts.    If the film is to be believed, success came rather quickly for the group and they were soon rivaling The Beatles in popularity here and in the UK.   They started off playing small clubs and then moved on to big clubs and then TV faster than you can say Rolling Stones.    In Beatles documentaries, at least you see them toiling in British dungeon-like clubs and in Hamburg for a few years before getting their break.  There had to be a struggle, no?

The Stones were seen more as the anti-Beatles.   They weren't a very handsome bunch and weren't as big on hygiene, but their music resonated with fans as more edgy than what the Beatles were producing at the time.    The songs lacked polish, almost deliberately, because the Stones were happier being antiheroes to the masses.   In a sense, they were precursors to the punk movement.

Their place in rock history is obvious and can't be denied.    However, what more can be said about them that hasn't already been said.   There is nothing here that's fresh or hasn't been covered before.   Many of the songs have been played time and again.    There isn't even a benefit of seeing the Stones today:  wiser, older, weather beaten, but still rocking well for guys pushing 70.    Wouldn't it be something to see the guys performing today?   Maybe that will be in part two.  

I don't know.   The film's heaviest focus comes up to and including 1978, but I get the feeling that the movie ended just as it was really getting started.   How about some insight into the strained Jagger/Richards relationship?   Bill Wyman left and the group I'm sure had to struggle with maintaining relevance in the 80s.   Then again, maybe there's a sequel in the works.    Let's hope.