I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

Name: I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
Genre: Documentary
Released: TODO_MISSING
Rating: 88

2002, Documentary, 1h 33m

60 Reviews 2,500+ Ratings

critics 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. Read critic reviews

Sharkwater

The Agronomist

Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst

Send a Bullet

Shut Up and Sing

Rate And Review

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer
Step 2 of 2

How did you buy your ticket?

Let's get your review verified.
Fandango

AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

Enter your Ticket Confirmation# located in your email.More Info

Cinemark Coming Soon

We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

Regal Coming Soon

We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

Theater box office or somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you buy your ticket?
- Fandango
- AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew
  
  Enter your Ticket Confirmation# located in your email.More Info
- Cinemark Coming Soon
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Regal Coming Soon
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Theater box office or somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You haven’t finished your review yet, want to submit as-is?

You can always edit your review after.
Are you sure?

Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers.
Want to submit changes to your review before closing?

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart Photos

Scene from the film I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART.

View All Photos (8)

Movie Info

This insightful documentary chronicles the tumultuous recording and release of the band Wilco's 2002 album "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." A bold departure from the group's earlier releases, recording it nearly broke up the band, and when it was completed, their label refused to release it and eventually dumped Wilco from their roster. With the album completed, the band turned to the Internet to get attention for the record, which was eventually released to widespread success and critical acclaim.

Genre:

Documentary
Original Language:

English
Director:

Sam Jones
Producer:

Sam Jones, Peter Abraham
Release Date (Theaters):

Jul 26, 2002 original
Release Date (Streaming):

Apr 1, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA):

$445.5K
Runtime:

1h 33m
Distributor:

Cowboy Pictures

Cast & Crew

Jeff Tweedy
Self

John Stirratt
Self

Leroy Bach
Self

Glenn Kotche
Self

Jay Bennett
Self

Sam Jones
Director

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

All Critics (60) | Top Critics (23) | Fresh (53) | Rotten (7)

Full Review… Peter Travers Rolling Stone

Full Review… Kimberley Jones Austin Chronicle

Full Review… Connie Ogle Miami Herald

Full Review… Peter Howell Toronto Star

Full Review… Liam Lacey Globe and Mail

Full Review… Roger Moore Orlando Sentinel

Full Review… Cole Smithey ColeSmithey.com

Full Review… Film Threat

Full Review… Eric Melin Scene-Stealers.com

Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com

Full Review… Jeffrey Overstreet Looking Closer

Full Review… Christopher Null Filmcritic.com

View All Critic Reviews (60)

Audience Reviews for I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

Feb 03, 2010

Not a fan of the band films but I really take my hat off to Wilco for their attempts to bring back Woody Guthrie into the mainstream. As a result, I really got into the storyline here and enjoyed it.

John B Super Reviewer
Jun 03, 2009

Really fascinating and sad. The filmmaker takes a meandering sort of approach, complemented by great photography. The film really makes you feel like the album is important, and I feel to a certain extent it is. The appeal of this film, may be lost on the non-Wilco fan as it's very very Wilco.

Patrick D Super Reviewer
Sep 21, 2007

Wilco are one of the greatest bands on Earth and this documentary film of the making of their masterpiece, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", is a fascinating glimpse at record company machination vs the creation of art.

Stephen M Super Reviewer
Mar 03, 2007

An interesting look at the creative process and a must see for Wilco fans, who will get to see the drama behind one of the best albums of the past ten years.

Steve K Super Reviewer