Let me tell you about a movie that is sure to bridge the generations and bring the entire family together. For baby-boomers, it is history, for senior citizens it's a time period buried between their own youth and the more current passage of time, and for the new generation, it's an eye-opener.
A short time ago I played the DVD titled "The US vs. John Lennon" for my family. While I was very young during the 60's and early 70's, this time period comprised my childhood and early adulthood, therefore, it made its impact. That, plus the minor fact that I liked the Beatles, was why this film was so appealing.
My brother, being a little bit older and much brighter during the time period was able to recall all the historical aspects of the film, while my sister-in-law was enthralled, and especially delighted to see Yoko Ono. It brought a smile, equivalent to the grin of a Cheshire cat to her face. So when the political and cultural aspects of the film became too serious for her, she was able to turn to Yoko with fondness and humor.
Now my father kept making comments about how John Lennon wasn't a citizen (which at the time he wasn't). He kept making remarks such as: They could have deported him at any time; He should stick to music and not politics; We could have ended Vietnam in two weeks; Why was he wearing an Army jacket when he wasn't in the war; He (John) could have went back to his own country if he didn't like it here, etc., etc., etc., all throughout the film. Then when it was over, he kept telling me that that was a good movie.
My aunt was equally thrilled because besides Nixon, someone made a crack about Bush, which being a diehard Democrat, she appreciated. Mom didn't say too much, but at one point she looked at me and simply asked, "You paid for this?" But she was laughing, so she had some appreciation for this documentary as well. Perhaps it reminded her of when the family used to watch TV sitcoms and controversial news clippings together in the 60's.
As for the new generation, my niece was not present, as she is an actress working on tunes of her own. But she would have appreciated it from an artistic viewpoint. It was her idea to see Lennon on Broadway, and it opened up the doors to a decade of music that she previously labeled as scary. This would have built upon her interest and broadened her horizons.
Now the very little ones would also be impressed to learn about their parents' and/or grandparents' cultural youth. At least it would give them something to question, laugh at, or think about. In other words, they should be exposed to this time period as it is history, and as tumultuous as the sixties were, in retrospect they may appear more innocent than our environment today, with the exception of the Vietnam War.
Now it's the terrorists, not the rock stars, whom we want out of our country; so I am sure that they would find this movie to be perplexing, but a learning experience nonetheless. And isn't it time they should be exposed to someone promoting peace, not war.
So get the family together, place the popcorn in the microwave, and toss in the DVD today. And, oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah: Give peace a chance.
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Reviews with images
Six Stars...
I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary. It clarified for me reasons for some of the seemingly crazy things John did in trying to stop war. Those things now seem a little less crazy, and a little more genius. Without John Lennon's involvement, the Vietnam war may have continued longer than it did. It was great hearing all those Lennon songs too. I still can't believe he was shot and killed, but as Lennon said, "time wounds all heels".
Top reviews from other countries
Close Range.
Historic and very informative documentary.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2010
Vince Prewett
John told his Sister Julia, he was seriously considering returning to England.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 15, 2019