A very cute film about a very ordinary behind the scenes support for the Beatles who was quite extraordinary in her own way. One glaring note is the lack of a mention from a McCartney or a Starr. Surely they could have devoted sometime to talk about the life of a woman that they relied on to such a large degree.

Many documentaries have been made about The Beatles, so don't go into GOOD OL' FREDA expecting a searing look inside the most popular, beloved band of all time. You'll be greatly disappointed. Instead, this is a film about the loveliness of privacy and integrity. Freda Kelly was an unassuming Liverpudlian teen when she was handpicked to work as the secretary of the Beatles' Fan Club. There when they were unknowns and there when they disbanded, Freda is one of the few in the trusted inner circle who didn't sell her story to the tabloids or write a book. She even gave away priceless memorabilia to the fans or donated it for a good cause. 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.