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Better Than Something: Jay Reatard

Play trailer Poster for Better Than Something: Jay Reatard 2010 1h 30m Documentary Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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80% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
The life and work of the Memphis-based punk musician.

Critics Reviews

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New York Magazine/Vulture Oct 12, 2012
Lindsey himself makes for a fairly outgoing interview subject, but the real attraction here is the dedication and care shown for him and his memory by the close-knit community of Memphis musicians and fans. Go to Full Review Eddie Cockrell Variety Oct 12, 2012
Better Than Something: Jay Reatard offers an uncommonly intimate portrait of the prolific garage-punk phenom who died of a drug/alcohol cocktail in 2010. Go to Full Review Jeannette Catsoulis New York Times Mar 1, 2012
2.5/5
[The directors] cede narrative structure to their interview subjects, which may fulfill some goal of objectivity but cheats the viewer of depth or a clear point of view. Go to Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog Aug 22, 2017
3/4
If he doesn't always come across as the nicest guy in this even-handed portrait—he could be a total dick—he was never a dilettante or a poseur. Go to Full Review John Beifuss Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) Mar 2, 2012
3/4
An intimate if drive-by quasi-portrait of the artist in mostly his own self-deprecating, wryly humorous and sometimes painfully revealing words... Go to Full Review Shawn Levy Oregonian Mar 1, 2012
B+
It's evident that he would have evolved as a musician and a man, and this tight and candid film makes you regret that he no longer can. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jun 16, 2014 Features some of the last footage of the garage rockers life, Better Than Something is a loving portrait of the now deceased band leader. Mixing between ear splitting live footage and sombre candid interviews with Reatard himself, this may not be everyones cup of tea, but a must for fans of the singer. See more Jun 27, 2011 Entertaining insight combined with raw concert footage sum to a appreciable rock doc about a modern day punk rocker. See more Apr 9, 2011 Insightful look into the life and times of this important musician, never boring, well-directed. See more Read all reviews
Better Than Something: Jay Reatard

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Alex Hammond

Director

Ian Markiewicz

Director

King Louie Bankston

Actor

Shawn Foree

Actor

Ryan Rousseau

Actor

Alicja Trout

Actor
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Better Than Something: Jay Reatard

Better Than Something: Jay Reatard (2010) Better Than Something: Jay Reatard (2010) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The life and work of the Memphis-based punk musician.
Director
Alex Hammond, Ian Markiewicz
Producer
Joseph Berger, Alex Hammond
Genre
Documentary, Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.2K
Runtime
1h 30m
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