Only the Strong Survive (2002)

Very disappointing...

Must See Movie...

Blistering performances.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Having seen "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" recently put me in the mood for film retrospectives of recent black music to see how it has stood up, how it has influenced the wider culture of the western world and what the original artists are doing now. Similar to "Shadows" this film mixes live performances from the artists today with talking heads – although here there are fewer set interviews and more recollections captured on the move as it were. This helps make the film feel a lot livelier and engaging because it doesn't come over as being rehearsed or set in a studio but rather being personal and just like talking to these people, as natural as being with them in person.Although the film doesn't manage to convey a real time line or history to help the unfamiliar, it does provide a fan's excitable view of the scene – hence the film is best when just chilling out with the artists. To some this may be a missed opportunity because it could have easily been longer and more interesting, but as it is it does still work as a bit of reminiscing as opposed to actually recording the people and the songs for posterity as more of a documentary – no matter what Hegedus' aim, the film just doesn't manage to do that well at all. In fact Hegedus is a bit of a problem generally – his narration is gradually dropped and just as well as he has a whiney little voice and doesn't add anything of value; having him kicking around on screen is a distraction as well and it shows he was perhaps a bit too distracted as a fan to be able to do the job of producer/director effectively.The performances are strong and the artists involved are older but still funny and entertaining in differing ways. As a "fan's" film, we are not allowed to really look too closely at any of them and anything even slightly negative is mostly glossed over in a rather annoying fashion – although I can see why, after all, the film wasn't aiming for documentary so much as it just capturing the people and recent performances. Overall this is an enjoyable film thanks to the people and the performances; it may not have the depth and detail that I would have liked it to have had in regards capturing the times of Stax and looking at the life of the artists after the success, but it doesn't try to do this and is still enjoyable for what it does do and will be enjoyed by fans of the music and the performers.

Taken from R&B pioneer Jerry Butler's most enduring hit, the title of this upbeat, soulful documentary provides an evolution of R&B in the cities across the nation where soul music flourished between 1960 and 1975.Opening with 82 year old Rufus Thomas, referred to as Memphis' "Other King," he was still broadcasting his popular weekly program in Memphis, credited with giving soul music and R&B its start, moving on to Philadelphia, New York, Chicago and Detroit. A legend in his own right, as a disc jockey, Rufus was the first to play Elvis Presley records for black audiences.Loaded with incredible concert footage, the performers prove that they can still enthrall audiences in an undiminished capacity years after their peak of popularity. The ageless Wilson Pickett is mesmerizing as ever on stage, while Jerry Butler croons a smooth love song. Sam Moore is truly electrifying, especially when he performs "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby." Isaac Hayes is honored, calling attention to his major role at Stax Records, where he wrote or co-wrote many of its major hits. Most touching is Rufus Thomas, who recently died at 84, in a duet with daughter Carla on "Night Time Is the Right Time." Sam Moore recalls his dark days as a drug pusher, and despite his age (and a triple bypass) Rufus Thomas delivers a dynamic performance (sadly, he died in December 2001, just as "Only the Strong Survive" was being completed for its premiere at Sundance).This graceful film also showcases soul music legends Mary Wilson, the Chi-Lites, Carla Thomas and Ann Peebles, exuding a lack of bitterness and gratefulness for the good things and a relentless energy to continue on with their talents as the true artists that they are.

A lot of different snipets make up the whole of this documentary, which is somewhat confusing and leaves us with a pretty anti- climatic ending. But the stories, voices and music more than make up for it. I was particularly impressed with the beautiful voice of Carla Thomas, and Issac Hayes just might be the coolest cat on the face of the Earth. Rufus Thomas and the radio show are good for more than a few laughs.If you like Soul music and its history, this one is certainly worth a look. 8/10.

It was sort of interesting, and at times entertaining, to hear the stories of these very successful singers.Interestingly enough, not being too familiar with this kind of music, and not having heard much of it before, I wasn't actually all that impressed with their voices...too rough for my taste. But their musicianship was evident, and it was educational to find out more about this style of music.However, the film itself didn't really hold my attention or draw me in. It was sort of like watching home videos of people I don't know, in not-particularly-interesting contexts. Furthermore, they never really developed on the theme suggested by the title. By comparison, "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" is a similar film with more coherence.The worst part, by far, however, was the filming itself. Much of it was shot with hand-held cameras and no attempt at steadiness. The result shook and made the audience queasy. Luckily, they were too busy closing their eyes to listen to the music to notice.