Living in The Material World
I only saw the first part of Martin Scorsese’s documentary, George Harrison: Living in The Material World, yesterday, in Notting Hill. And I fell in love with it. I was expecting for it to premiere for such a long time, and I’m happy I got to see the first part (because there was a problem with the projector) on the big screen. I never cry in movies, but I actually did cry watching this…right during the first scene.
Okay, I know it is a documentary about a real person, whom I admire, but it deserves to be put up here. I’ve already spoken about how those guys could have only existed in this place, and London takes a great role here. Actually, it was the only time Yoko Ono said something I really, REALLY, understood: “I didn’t want to move to London because I’m a New York person, but it was fun.” Not these exact words, because my brain has its limitations, but basically that. In that case, that’s like me (and she says that line in a NY apartment, which I don’t think I ever will), but in a more astronomical kind of way.
It is a very good approach to a biographic documentary. It never gets boring, it is not 100% linear or chronologic. Not everything were roses, neither was anyone perfect. People were who they were. And I love that. There are also some interesting pictures and footage I’d never seen. And in the middle of all this, there is still privacy for that person who’s no longer here. It also calls for the attention that George was a good musician. And when you think about it, and you start listening to the soundtrack, you have to agree. I was watching the documentary and While My Guitar Gently Weeps started to play, and I went “he didn’t need to do anything else in life to prove he was good, ‘cos that is superb.” The Beatles as four people, and The Beatles as one.
Like Ringo said, in another documentary, The Beatles Anthology (1995), “only four people know what it was like being a Beatle.” It was such a Beatlesque week for me. (can’t disclose the other moments here, ‘cause those I’ll keep to my kids).
- How many Beatles does it take to change a bulb?
- Four.
George Harrison (1943-2001)
