Rating: NN
Right off the bat something seems mighty dubious about this brand new rockumentary about L.A.-based Irish punk rockers Flogging Molly. The sticker on the front promises “one of the most moving and impassioned documents of any rock band’s journey, period.” Minutes after the film starts, lead singer/songwriter Dave King proclaims that his band “could go on after AC/DC or the Rolling Stones and still kick fuckin’ ass.” Shit, man, they must be good. This movie must be some amazingly powerful story about a band overcoming huge obstacles like, y’know, the plague or something.
Instead, for a painfully long stretch, all seven members gush about how amazing they are, how moving their music is, how original they are (let’s just forget the Pogues and Dropkick Murphys) and lots of other stuff that’s not very interesting to watch. I thought a documentary was supposed to engage the viewer emotionally or even intellectually. In the Wilco film I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, there was conflict, turmoil and resolution, but Whiskey is nothing more than a vehicle to relay what super-good friends they all are. Halfway through (for anyone who cares), you learn that their accordion player used to be a rad professional skater. The accompanying CD is a fine appendix to the band’s respectable catalogue, but all in all, the entire package will only appeal to hardcore fans.
