New York Doll (2005)

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

When I was 10 years old and living in Texas, I began reading a crummy little black and white "Rock n Roll" magazine called "Rock Scene". It was pretty much strictly about the NY music scene. There I was introduced to the Ramones, Television, Blondie, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, and a host of others. One band in particular, the New York Dolls, caught my eye. Unfortunately for me, I could only read about these bands because, living in Texas, there was no way of hearing any of these bands. They certainly didn't get airplay in Texas and there was no way my parents were gonna buy a New York Dolls or Ramones record for me.By the time I was able to buy my own records I had already moved on in my taste to heavier rock like Kiss and Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, etc.I never forgot those bands from Rock Scene Magazine though and thanks to the internet and youtube I was able to finally see them and hear them! The New York Dolls were WAY better than I ever thought they were! They were WAY underrated as well! It was amazing to see the naked truth about the road Killer Kane's life took after the demise of the NY Dolls.It's also amazing that the Film was made, Killer Kane got to reunite with the Dolls and play a HUGE show and enjoy the adulation of long-time fans only 22 days before his untimely death! What an amazing true life event folks. This is amazing stuff!

I think my new favorite movie about Rock and Roll is also my favorite movie about religion! A quiet, dweebish librarian for the Mormon temple gets a chance to play with his old band, which happens to be one of the most important (and outrageous!) bands in rock and roll history. It's the chance he's dreamed of for thirty years, and his church friends help him get his bass guitar out of hock.Years earlier, the excesses of the rock and roll lifestyle drove him mad, and nearly killed him, but this time Arthur "Killer" Kane stays humble, strives to be "a good latter day saint", leads the band in a backstage prayer, plays a triumphant set before ecstatic fans in London-- and then returns to his Mormon life, not knowing that he will be dead from leukemia in just a few months.If it were written in a script, you'd find it too unbelievable, but it's all real, right down to the motherbeeping New York Dolls bowing their heads in prayer. I love how the incredible irony is never played up. No one telling the story feels the need to say how ironic this all is. Arthur Kane feels no conflict between his Mormon faith and his rock and roll. "My job", he says, "is making people happy." No one makes fun of Arthur. Both his Mormon friends and his Rock and Roll friends are interviewed, and they all have insights into his amazing story.Back in the day, Arthur and lead singer David Johansen were feuding, but now, as grown-ups, the affection between the old friends is palpable. After the show, David says to Arthur: "I love you so much! You make me so happy!" Really, this is not so much a documentary as a feelgood-tearjerker scripted by Almighty God himself. And God turns out to be a Dolls fan.If you want to know my opinion, I find the tenets of Mormon faith to be more that a little strange... but I was genuinely moved by the story of how Arthur Kane saved himself by finding a life of humility and service. And the band rocked!

First, I confess that I never "got" The New York Dolls.Second, this is one of the best documentaries I have ever seen.The film is a bittersweet, understated but fascinating portrayal of Arthur Kane, the one-time degenerate New York Doll bass player turned Mormon, as he prepares for a reunion concert with his former band mates, and, as it turns out, a far more important gig. The filmmaker treats all of the subjects(including Morrissey, David Johanssen, numerous LDS members, the LDS Church itself, and most of all, Kane) with dignity and respect, and without judgment. The film's unstated message of tolerance and understanding makes this worth watching by all.

I could go on and on about why I liked this movie but there's one thing that is most important to impress upon people: you don't have to be a New York Dolls fan - or even a rock music fan - to enjoy this movie. I was only peripherally aware of the New York Dolls music and I was captivated by this fine piece of work.This is not a concert movie though a performance is integral to the story. It's also not a series of rock videos. It is a simple man's extraordinary journey through life, a life that at times is ordinary and at others is far from it.I can only encourage you to not base your willingness to view this on how you feel about its music. If you pass by because of that, you will deprive yourself of a very special movie.