by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Who is Martin Newell? I had no idea who this British musician was when I first received an email about covering the new documentary, The Jangling Man. But as I read through, it intrigued me. Newell seemed to be a dynamic and creative force when it came to music, and my attention was grabbed. I have an affinity for rock documentaries, so The Jangling Man was an easy sell for me. Will a documentary clocking in at 85 minutes about an obscure British musician grab yours?
What does director James Sharp offer up with his direction on the film? In many ways, this is your standard rock documentary. Sharp doesn’t break the mold too much, as the first scene offered up is a collage of commentators giving their thoughts on the general legacy of Newell. From there, the film plays out with the basic beats you might expect. The younger years. The start of his career. The rougher times. The legacy. There you go. Don’t expect a film that is fresh and distinct when it comes to the actual telling of the life and career of Newell.
But what makes this film stand out compared to the countless other rock documentaries you have probably seen? Newell. Plain and simple. This man is an absolute delight to watch and take in. From the start of the film, you get to hear straight from the man, the myth, the legend. He starts by complaining about how long this film took to get done (how often do you hear that from a subject?). Newell also has no punches to pull and B.S. to throw. When his own laziness is misconstrued as artistic ability, he calls out his own stuff. His personality is quite entertaining, which makes the viewing experience so much fun.
Is Newell’s shining personality the only thing that gets highlighted? His music is on display, which gives the audience the opportunity to understand his success and talent. From the first song they played, I became increasingly more interested in checking out his music. From the commentators in the film, we get plenty of dimensions from their own experiences working with Newell. These people being interviewed understand Newell’s process and his art. If you want to gain insight into the creative process and how Newell became known as the Pop Poet, The Jangling Man will offer you plenty.
Is the story of Newell one worth experiencing? With its modest run time and rich amount of content, this is certainly a great one for music fans out there. Newell is a great character to see portrayed on screen. His music is worth checking out, and this documentary certainly accomplishes its biggest goal: shining a light on this underappreciated artist’s music.
Score: 8/10
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