Kurt & Courtney (1998)

Disappointment for a huge fan!

A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

I can honesty say I found Kurt & Courtney fascinating. Director / Interviewer Nick Broomfield takes the viewer on a trip, a trip where we the viewer get to meet various individuals that had contact with Kurt Cobain for one reason or another. Are these individuals credible? I like to think so, even if some of them appear to get something from simply being in front of a camera. What did I learn?1. It appears Kurt's relationship with Courtney was over, and he wanted out. Courtney stood to walk away with half Kurt's fortune, having only been with him for two years. She stood to walk away with all Kurt's fortune, should he commit suicide.2. El Duce (lead singer) claims Love offered him $50,000 to kill Cobain. El Duce turned down the offer, and hints he might knew who did. Since these claims El Duce was found dead on some train-tracks tracks. Weird?3. Another band singer (who's name I forget) who had a relationship with Courtney Love, claims Courtney was a man in a female's body. She had a determined mind, and knew what to do you to get where she wanted to be. 4. Throughout the filming of the documentary, it is made clear the powers that be were doing all they could to halt production. ..there is a whole load of more stuff. You'll have to watch it for yourself.

So far I'm about half way through and I must say that this could have been a good film. As it is, its okay, but it misses the mark in several ways. He interviews people that you could meet at the mall or a flea market, no one important really. Maybe someone of import was at an industry party - where the producer would never be invited. I doubt he meets Courtney Love at all, she seems to be against this. There is NO music (so far) by Nirvana, or even Kurt (save some stuff he recorded at like 2 & 15 years old at his aunt's house). A doc about Kurt with no music by Kurt? Oh well. Even the band the producer goes to see who supposedly were influenced by Nirvana sounded like Misfits! Oh no.Also, he interviews some people who you think might have something important to say - but then, he can't put what they said in the film! What?! He sights British law issues (as he "films" for the BBC, or says he does) for some of the prohibition and for others he just leaves things out! Like the music. If this doesn't turn around considerably, I'd have to say miss this. If I ever do finish watching this and it turns into something good, I'll let you know. Although without any music by Kurt or Courtney, I seriously doubt it. * (of 5) at the half.Well, I saw the rest of the film. So the whole second half is pretty basic. He re-interviews Kurt's aunt and there's a guy who may have been hired to do something to Kurt, but (surprise!) his accusations couldn't be added to the film due to British libel laws. Oh well. He out accuses Courtney's dad of being a rotten father when its obvious that the man had been to hell and back with the woman. His main concern at that time was his granddaughter, and that she have a safe environment to grow up in. The doc's producer tells us he doesn't believe the conspiracies - that Love had anything to do with Cobain's death. Take that for what its worth. Given this, the later scene at an ACLU dinner doesn't make much sense. Courtney is shown to be capable of anything - the nanny that worked for the couple in Kurt's final weeks was obviously scared to say much on camera. He plays some tape of Courtney threatening the author of a "tell all" book, and its not a soft or veiled threat. This all culminates at the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) awards dinner where Love is a presenter and speaker. Before she takes the stage, the "extreme" "celebrity stalker", who had been in a scene earlier in the film saying he'd do anything to show Courtney's true colors - that he'd walk right up to her and ask if she killed Kurt or something, is at the ACLU function. He gets Love right on camera with the mic in her face! So this "extreme" stalker - who's partner in that early scene wouldn't even appear on camera without a mask! they are crazy guys - finally asks her a question for the producer of the film. Is it, did you have anything to do with your husband's death? Is it, did you threaten and/or assault journalists and writers? NO! He asks about a song he overheard when they went to her studio (where he was supposed to confront her and didn't!) and if she has any new members in her band! Extreme! Finally, the producer of the documentary, actually shows some real balls! After Courtney speaks, he gets on stage and basically calls the ACLU members gathered that they are hypocrites because they have a speaker who gives a speech about the importance of freedom of the press, while having intimidated, threatened and assaulted that very same press for writing and saying things about her that she didn't like. He does actually ask Love a question, and her answer is interesting. At the very end we DO get an original song. Unfortunately its by Kurt's aunt Mary, singing at a school where she is giving a talk about the horrors of drugs and addiction using Kurt as example. A very good message - I'm just not sure we needed to go through 90 minutes to get it.

This movie is a must watch for anyone who would like to believe that Kurt was killed by a wife who just loved him for his money. As a Nirvana and a Kurt Cobain fan i'd like to believe that Kurt Killed himself over his own choosing. This movie as sad as it is offers some sad info that is hard to turn down. Nick Broomfield does bring a solid case to the table about reason's Courtney may have wanted Kurt dead. With interviews with Courtney's hateful dad and the Cobains old nanny it is easy to get taken along by this movie. This movie is a great but watch but it is easy to forget the great music Kurt Cobain made and focus on the situation surrounding his death. This movie is not how Kurt Cobain should be remembered. He should be remembered for the great person he was and the beautiful, timeless music he created.

Having done a lot of research before watching this documentary, particularly on Kurt's death, I was almost convinced that Courtney had someone kill him -the suicide letter is NOT a suicide letter and someone has added the last 3 lines.- Anyways, Kurt was in a good phase at that point of his life: he just wanted to leave Courtney and Nirvana. There's a lot of clues supporting the fact that this was a murder and not a suicide, BUT the movie only shed light to a couple of them + wasted a lot of time interviewing random ppl, that had nothing to do with the whole thing, like Amy. Also, the director presents this medical evidence that someone can take double the doses that Kurt did, and still stand on one leg!!!that's ridiculous!! the doses was 3 times the lethal doses, and the evidence he presents has to do with swallowing methadone, and not injecting heroine! all in all, i would say that the movie doesn't have a clear view on anything. It just left me feeling depressed and sad that the Kobain case is and will always be closed, and Courtney is not and never will be where she deserves: IN JAIL!!