This is not a conventional documentary, but it's not a conventional subject. The world of "Kurt & Courtney" is a complex and tragic place, where dynamic personalities vie to present their image in the best possible light. After all, rock 'n' roll is nothing if not image.
Nick Broomfield is a pioneer in a new form of documentary. Any pretense at objectivity is thrown out the window, and this is perhaps a more honest approach than the way many other documentaries are presented ("Waco: The Rule of Engagement" comes to mind). By taking us through the reporting process, Broomfield shows us how agonizing it is to attempt to discover "THE TRUTH," which is always a subjective matter anyway.
Some complain that his technique is poor filmmaking, but by showing the interview process (instead of editing things down to easily digested sound bites) we can come to our on conclusions whether to believe the source's statement. In life, there are no easy answers, and Broomfield shows this by butting interview against interview, presenting each person's conflicting point of view. We are allowed to see that each person has their own agenda, and their presentation of "THE FACTS" is designed to further their own goals.
Anyone who's ever listened closely to Nirvana's music knows that Kurt Cobain was a tortured soul, full of insecurities. A lonely man crying out for attention, and when he achieves more fame than he could have ever have hoped for, his own self-doubt prevented him from enjoying it, turning success into a nightmare. Courtney on the other hand, merely saw Kurt as the means to get her the fame she wanted. She was able to latch on to Cobain's rising star, fully aware of what the effect it was having on him. Broomfield shows that while Courtney didn't pull the trigger (or hire someone to pull it), she threw gasoline on the flames that led to Kurt's burnout.
Nick Broomfield is a pioneer in a new form of documentary. Any pretense at objectivity is thrown out the window, and this is perhaps a more honest approach than the way many other documentaries are presented ("Waco: The Rule of Engagement" comes to mind). By taking us through the reporting process, Broomfield shows us how agonizing it is to attempt to discover "THE TRUTH," which is always a subjective matter anyway.
Some complain that his technique is poor filmmaking, but by showing the interview process (instead of editing things down to easily digested sound bites) we can come to our on conclusions whether to believe the source's statement. In life, there are no easy answers, and Broomfield shows this by butting interview against interview, presenting each person's conflicting point of view. We are allowed to see that each person has their own agenda, and their presentation of "THE FACTS" is designed to further their own goals.
Anyone who's ever listened closely to Nirvana's music knows that Kurt Cobain was a tortured soul, full of insecurities. A lonely man crying out for attention, and when he achieves more fame than he could have ever have hoped for, his own self-doubt prevented him from enjoying it, turning success into a nightmare. Courtney on the other hand, merely saw Kurt as the means to get her the fame she wanted. She was able to latch on to Cobain's rising star, fully aware of what the effect it was having on him. Broomfield shows that while Courtney didn't pull the trigger (or hire someone to pull it), she threw gasoline on the flames that led to Kurt's burnout.
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