critics consensus

Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me offers a persuasive argument for its subjects' cult classic oeuvre -- and presents a painfully passionate lament for their untapped potential. Read critic reviews

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Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me Photos

(L-R) Jody Stephens, Andy Hummel and Alex Chilton in "Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me."

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Movie Info

In the 1970s, Memphis-based band Big Star achieved critical acclaim but not mainstream success. Despite a lack of popularity, the band's music influenced such diverse artists as R.E.M., Wilco, Jeff Buckley and Elliot Smith.

Rating:

PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|Drug References)
Genre:

documentary
Original Language:

English
Director:

Drew DeNicola
Producer:

Olivia Mori, Danielle McCarthy, Drew DeNicola
Release Date (Theaters):

Jul 3, 2013 limited
Release Date (Streaming):

Oct 4, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA):

$105.0K
Runtime:

1h 53m
Production Co:

The Group Entertainment

Cast & Crew

Jon Auer
Self

Alex Chilton
Self

Rick Clark
Self

Andy Hummel
Self

John Lightman
Self

Drew DeNicola
Director

Show all Cast & Crew

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Critic Reviews for Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me

All Critics (38) | Top Critics (24) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (3)

The result is an observed story, without the why of Big Star's musical disintegration that is at the heart of their enduring legend.

August 1, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Michael Hann
Guardian
Rewards true fans while enticing the uninitiated.

July 31, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Adam Woodward
Little White Lies
It feels thorough, and very affectionate. It just needs more of a narrative hook, a through-line from start to finish that can enhance the story for those not yet in the club.

July 30, 2013

Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
All the making-of footage and scenes offering a taste of Memphis in the '70s will probably thrill established Big Star lovers in a big way.

July 25, 2013 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Chris Riemenschneider
Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me" is no doubt going to please fans of the cult rock band, but the rest of us may feel like outsiders - not put off by the proceedings, really, but somewhat mystified as to what all the fuss is about.

July 22, 2013 | Full Review…

David Lewis
San Francisco Chronicle
[Documents] the band's coming together and falling apart and [offers] a passionate tribute to its brilliant, beautiful music.

July 15, 2013 | Full Review…

Bruce Diones
New Yorker
... a complete picture of Big Star from its inception to its demise - and later resurrection - and of course, it's loaded with awesome tunes .

March 2, 2019 | Full Review…

Amie Simon
Three Imaginary Girls
The downside of their cult stature is a shortfall of footage, but the music is uncannily gorgeous, well deployed and copious: for non-initiates, it'll be like finding lost treasure.

August 22, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Kevin Harley
Total Film
There's a distinct lack of archive footage of the band in their prime, but the director makes a good stab at bringing to life the studio sessions that produced such treasures as The Ballad of El Goodo.

August 1, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Jamie Healy
Radio Times
Two emotions fight for dominance while watching the saga - the exhilaration that comes from seeing great artists working at the peak of their powers, and the frustration of watching the world ignore those great artists.

December 9, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Rob Thomas
Madison Movie
Messy but inspiring musical doc.

December 2, 2013 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
I thought the film worked best when it was concentrating on Big Star, but wandered a bit when it drifted on to what happened to band members after the breakup. The film has a melancholy feel to it.

November 25, 2013 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…

Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

View All Critic Reviews (38)

Audience Reviews for Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me

Jul 04, 2013

I have to admit that I had no history in hearing of Big Star or their work but I am glad for the opportunity to have seen this documentary and been educated about them. Their influence is widespread within the community if not with the public in general. Something to consider for your record collection.

John B Super Reviewer