Good Ol' Freda (2013)
Average Rating: 6.6/10
Reviews Counted: 30
Fresh: 25 | Rotten: 5
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 6.8/10
Critic Reviews: 15
Fresh: 13 | Rotten: 2
No consensus yet.
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Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 474
Movie Info
Freda Kelly was just a shy Liverpudlian teenager when she was asked to work for a local band hoping to make it big. Though she had no concept of how far they would go, Freda had faith in The Beatles from the beginning, and The Beatles had faith in her. History notes that The Beatles were together for 10 years, but Freda worked for them for 11. Many people came in and out of the band's circle as they grew to international stardom, but Freda remained a staple because of her unfaltering loyalty and
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All Critics (30) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (5)
Brian Epstein needed someone to run the nascent Official Beatles Fan Club. Freda, just 17, got the job.
Top CriticIn this charming insider account, Kelly traces her history with the band from the very early days until after their split.
[A] delightful documentary ...
While the tales of the band's spectacular rise create a genial mood, the film feels superficial.
[Gives] insight into a rare, innocent time in rock history when a scrap of pillowcase that cradled a mop-top singer or an autographed photo were all fans needed to feel close to their idols.
Although this music documentary has some historic value, it aims to entertain -- and succeeds, largely because its subject is a natural on camera.
Just when you thought there couldn't be any more documentaries about the Beatles, here is one about a woman who has kept a low profile. There are no big revelations in this film, just a different perspective on the band.
Not everyone will view it as an informational feast, but Beatle fans will eat it up like jam butties.
Kelly is what makes Good Ol' Freda such an involving film when it covers otherwise well-traveled Beatles lore.
The genial pic, about a wonderful person, is a good watch for Beatle fans.
The film gets by, if only barely, on Freda's good humor and lack of pretense.
If you have any interest in Liverpool's most noted hitmakers, go see this film. But just don't expect to find too many revelations about the Fabsters.
... slight movie that exists largely because of the goodwill of its subject, who never felt impelled to convert her proximity to greatness into monetary success, or even much notoriety.
Good Ol' Freda feels like a peek behind the curtain of one of the biggest bands in history. If this is the last true story of The Beatles, then it's a remarkable tale full of magnificent triumphs, devotion, sorrow, and maturity.
The fact that [Freda] related to the group's female fans because she was one of them is this documentary's calling card, but not many fans can open a box in their attic and pull out an envelope labeled 'This is George Harrison's real hair.'
Even without new information or salacious details, this is a story Beatles fans will enjoy.
At first glance hinting maybe condescension in the title, ' Good Ol' Freda' really does anything but, those three little words being the lads' fond reference to her.
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Latest News on Good Ol' Freda
September 12, 2013:
Director Ryan White Talks Good Ol' Freda"The reactions have been awesome. We've seen grown men cry!"
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Ryan White, in fact, was originally asked by Freda to document her story just so she could have a DVD to show to her grandchildren. She wanted them to know that Grandma had perhaps the coolest job of any teenager in the history of the world, Alexander the Great notwithstanding. It is with such humble intentions that he began to sit her down to tell her story.
Although he works with such documentary conventions as chronological storytelling and Ken Burns photo zooms, White gets something very special here. Here's a woman who could spill the beans and give us the goods, yet she steadfastly refuses to do just that, which in and of itself is the most compelling thing about the film. Frankly, I have no interest in sordid details. It's enough to hear from her that John was grumpy sometimes, that George was considerate Paul was fun, and Ringo had a mother she adored. We also are treated to wonderful photos and film from the early days, when the Beatles played a local dive called The Cavern Club. Equally interesting are Kelly's recollections of the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein. She pinpoints his closeted rage, and very humanely grew to understand him. It's sweet to see a woman of her age display such a caring, open mind and heart.
One could argue that the film gets repetitive when Freda details over and over the volume of fan mail and her endeavors to get the band to sign autographs, but it's her utter sense of decorum and kindness that mesmerized me. How refreshing it is to see a documentary subject not, as they like to say in reality shows these days, "throw someone under the bus". We live in a time where we're accustomed to seeing people be nasty to each other and call it entertainment. White and Kelly's display of basic human kindness is just the jolt I needed. I was privileged to catch a screening of the film with both White and Kelly in attendance. The standing ovation they received felt so genuine. The audience, high on the nostalgia the film evokes, cold barely contain their excitement and gratitude.