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MOVIES / ON DVD / I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

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I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (2002)

88%
95%
91%
N/A
N/A
N/A
88 %
Reviews Counted: 59 Fresh: 52  Rotten:7 Average Rating: 6.9/10
 
Consensus: Besides being a treat for Wilco fans, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart also exposes the workings of a profit-driven music industry. Besides being a treat for Wilco fans, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart also exposes the workings of a profit-driven music industry. more
 
Rated: Not Rated
Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins
Theatrical Release: Jul 26, 2002 Limited
Synopsis:
In early 2000, the Chicago-based, country-influenced rock band Wilco began preparing for the recording of their fourth record, YANKEE HOTEL FOXTROT. Filmmaker/photographer Sam Jones went along with them to document a band at the height of its creative powers. What started as a simple... [More]
In early 2000, the Chicago-based, country-influenced rock band Wilco began preparing for the recording of their fourth record, YANKEE HOTEL FOXTROT. Filmmaker/photographer Sam Jones went along with them to document a band at the height of its creative powers. What started as a simple documentary about the making of a record became a far more dramatic saga when, early in the recording process, drummer Ken Coomer left the band. Then, months later, friction between vocalist/chief songwriter Jeff Tweedy and multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett resulted in Bennett's departure. Adding to the setbacks, upon the completion of the record, Wilco's longtime label, Reprise, rejected it and released the band from its roster. I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART chronicles the critically-acclaimed band's efforts to overcome these difficulties--efforts which eventually helped to make FOXTROT the band's most successful release. Director Jones intimately captures the band on 16mm black and white film as they perform over twenty songs. More importantly, he also captures the pitfalls that develop when strong personalities embark on a collaborative creative endeavor. Fans of the band will have plenty to cheer about, while the uninitiated will come away with further cinematic proof of the difficulty of achieving the rock and roll dream. [Less]

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Starring: Jeff Tweedy, John Stirrat, Leroy Bach, Glenn Kotche, Jay Bennett

Director: Sam Jones
Producer: Peter Abrahams, Sam Jones

DVD Info

Release:

Apr 18, 2006

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region 0
  • 2-Disc Set
  • Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • (unspecified) - English

Buy It On DVD

Reviews

 
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No review available.

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12/09/07 10:12 AM
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
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Full Review | Comment
08/14/07 03:15 AM
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
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06/24/06 03:28 AM
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
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12/06/05 07:40 PM
Film Threat
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It is an often overlooked gem of a movie, chronicling the creative process of making a personal record in more detail than has even been seen. Also, the film is helped tremendously by some great music from Wilco, and a ironic, triumphant twist of real-lif

| Comment
10/01/05 08:47 AM
Eric Melin
Scene-Stealers.com
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No review available.

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08/16/05 12:01 AM
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
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07/21/05 03:32 AM
Houston Chronicle
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Fortunately for Wilco, who have a passion for excellence, creative freedom, and innovation, Jones's camera recorded footage at the scene of a crime against art.

Full Review | Comment
12/06/04 05:10 PM
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
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06/10/03 05:12 PM
Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com
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03/10/03 08:29 AM
Kimberly Jones
Austin Chronicle
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Even if you have never heard a Wilco album, the film is a great introduction to the band's music and the pain that goes into making it.

Full Review | Comment
02/20/03 02:38 PM
Jeffrey Bruner
Des Moines Register
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An interesting look behind the scenes of Chicago-based rock group Wilco...

Full Review | Comment
12/16/02 12:38 PM
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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As a study of how the current corporate idiocy impacts one man’s art, it's priceless.

Full Review | Comment
12/08/02 08:22 AM
Tim Merrill
Film Threat
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More about the alchemical nature of movies than the band or their music, the picture is among the very best of the year.

Full Review | Comment
12/02/02 02:18 AM
Walter Chaw
Film Freak Central
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11/29/02 08:19 AM
Arizona Republic
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While I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is full of strong performances, Jones' film is less about the music than it is about the music business.

Full Review | Comment
11/19/02 08:17 AM
Jason Anderson
eye WEEKLY
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Not only does this musical documentary showcase a band that's at the top of its form ... it also serves as indictment of the ridiculously shallow, pre-fab music industry in general.

Full Review | Comment
11/08/02 04:36 PM
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
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Is there enough material to merit a documentary on the making of Wilco's last album?

Full Review | Comment
11/01/02 07:23 PM
Connie Ogle
Miami Herald
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If you aren't already a fan of Wilco, a critical darling led by the talented and wily songwriter Jeff Tweedy, the film does little to enlighten or recruit.

Full Review | Comment
10/25/02 07:24 PM
Peter Howell
Toronto Star
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The recording session is the only part of the film that is enlightening -- and how appreciative you are of this depends on your level of fandom.

Full Review | Comment
10/25/02 07:21 PM
Jim Slotek
Jam! Movies
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