Search - Kurt & Courtney on DVD

Keith A. (Keefer522)
Reviewed on 12/20/2013...

BBC documentarian Nick Broomfield investigates the conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain...but if he's trying to make a case that Kurt was murdered, then he probably should've found a better group of interviewees than the bunch of drug-addled losers and disreputable hangers-on featured in this flick, most of whom have only tangential connections to Kurt or Nirvana and who don't have any real evidence to offer aside from 'Uhhh... Courtney Love's a total b*tch, so I bet she did it.'

Aside from the clip featuring El Duce of the infamous Mentors, who claimed that Courtney offered him $50K to 'whack' Kurt (Duce died mere days after that interview was filmed), this flick is a tough slog. Avoid.

Who killed Kurt Cobain?

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 06/05/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"One of the biggest conspiracy theories in rock'n'roll involves the death of Kurt Cobain. Was it really suicide, or did someone murder him?

And from this we get "Kurt and Courtney," Nick Broomfield's now-legendary documentary that explores the life of Kurt Cobain, his relationship with his wife Courtney Love, and the question of whether he was murdered. There's a lot of good material floating around, but the heavy slant throws the whole film off-balance.

First, Broomfield interviews many people who knew Cobain during his younger years -- his teacher, his first love, and an aunt of Cobain's. His hometown, loves, artistic leanings and rough upbringing are examined in detail. But after examining his life in Nirvana and his relationship with rocker Courtney Love, Broomfield begins examining the question: did Love kill him, or did he really commit suicide?

He interviews Hank Harrison (Love's father), a PI crusading to have Cobain's case reopened, a creepy sleaze called Il Duce who claims Love tried to hire him as a hit man, a former stripper who claims to have "proof" of Love and Cobain's drug use, and a former nanny for Frances Bean Cobain. And as Broomfield investigates Cobain's suspicious death, he indirectly clashes with Love herself.

This entire documentary is filmed in a shaky, raw manner that makes it feel like a homemade video, and most of the interviewees are seedy, creepy and occasionally disturbing. Some of them are obviously fake (the lipsticked stripper), but a few of them (the nanny, the first girlfriend, the aunt) offer some true insights into Cobain's life.

But at some point, "Kurt and Courtney" becomes all about the Courtney conspiracy. As he investigates Love, Broomfield includes footage of his funding being yanked due to her influence, leading to him stalking her during a recording session and publicly denouncing her at the ACLU... only to get kicked off the stage. What did that accomplish, exactly?

However, there's still a lot of good stuff in here -- there is some evidence in favor of the murder theory, and it's fascinating to see glimpses of Kurt's childhood (his first babyish "song" is adorable). And Broomfield does get some testimonies that are unique and intriguing, such as the nanny's suggestion that Love is spiritually if not legally responsible for Cobain's death.

Ironically, the most fascinating part of this documentary is Kurt himself, in some brief clips from an interview near the end of his life. It's astonishing how his purity and quiet charisma shine through; he seems more alive and vibrant than anyone else.

"Kurt and Courtney" slants itself too far in one direction, possibly as revenge for Love's interference. But the unique insights of some of the people who knew him -- and some of the evidence -- means it's worth checking out."