Search - Rockets Redglare! on DVD

Honest. Unblinking. Unforgettable.

Liam Chang | Watertown, MA USA | 11/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw this documentary at a sold out screening at Sundance last year, (the DVD has footage of producer Steve Buscemi and first time filmmaker Luis Fernandez de la Reguera taking questions from the audience at that same screening, a rare personal look at Steve Buscemi, for fans.)

To me, a great documentary should transcend the typical format of talking heads and spliced file footage and make you feel, on some deep level, some insight on what it means to be human on this planet. For me, this was one of those films.

Although this film was obviously made with more love than money, it shows that what matters isn't the budget but the heart and sweat of the filmmaker.

What could have been a very depressing story (and typical morality tale)of a bad childhood leading to an adulthood of drugs and self destruction, instead focuses on Rockets charm, talent, humor, lust for life, and counter-culture irreverence. The film's not about judging, it's about compassion and understanding, warts (or should I say pus) and all.

I'm afraid some people won't like the film or "get it." I read a review where the critic didn't understand why someone would make a film about someone who, besides his independent film acting career, "never amounted to much." Statements like that make me crazy.

To me, life isn't about the so-called achievements one can type up in a resume, it's more about the relationships with other people you develop in your life. Even with a hellish life, odds stacked against him, Rockets never lost his humanity and managed to make an indelible impression on others. Watching the film, it's obvious how much the people involved in the film deeply cared about him, and after seeing their efforts maybe a little of that will rub off, and you will care about him too.

I'd like to thank the filmmakers for telling his story."