New York Doll (2005)

People are voting emotionally.

Good concept, poorly executed.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

In the seventies, Arthur "Killer" Kane was the base player for influential punk band "The New York Dolls". Nearly thirty years later he is living in LA and working as a librarian in a family history centre, riding the bus everywhere and living on a tiny income . Director Greg Whiteley starts the film focusing on Kane and his life today but, during the film, an opportunity comes up to reunite the Dolls for a gig in London. Arthur accepts and the camera follows him as he reunites with people he hasn't seen for decades.I know very little about the New York Dolls, only being vaguely familiar with their music and could only have told you David Johansen's name out of the whole group. However this didn't seem to matter here because the film starts out to be more about the very low-key existence of a fallen rock star as represented by Arthur Kane. This aspect of it is very interesting and provides plenty of moments that are touching, comic and telling. Director Whiteley is affectionate to his subject but is not sentimental and the mix is almost spot on because it feels a balanced view of this man who now rides a bus to a low-wage job, is balding and just looks like a man who lived with his mother for fifty years and is now trying to get by without her.He is a wonderfully unassuming character and it is a joy to spend this time with him because he has all this tragedy, sadness, hope and survival. I knew so little about the Dolls that I did not even know that he had died and the end of the film is almost unbearably bittersweet and it hurt to learn of his death while I had just spent an hour getting to know it. Alongside the film focusing on Arthur the London gig gives a way into the Dolls themselves which does expand on who Arthur is but also allows for a potted history of the Dolls. Lots of contributions and wonderfully candid footage combine to build this whole up and it makes for a great film.I'm pretty sure that fans of the Dolls will enjoy this but for me I can only speak as a casual viewer with no knowledge. As such I loved it. I thought it was a tremendously touching, tragic and comic character study that folds into a rockumentary of the Dolls and the fact that I knew nothing about the subject only meant that the news of Arthur's sudden death just felt like a kick in the gut. A great film – fan or not.

A friend of mine and I were looking for a movie to watch on a Friday night, and we came across this at the store. She had been wanting to see it. We were expecting something completely different, considering the fact that Kane was in a major punk or rock and roll band. You really get sucked into his rather quiet character. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it was really cool to see how he was able to ably talk about the Church with his former band-mates, and it was sweet to see how he was able to get back together with the band, which had been his dream. We loved it. Loved it!

"New York Doll" is an true-life story of humanity, rock & roll, and redemption. Fueled by a propulsive soundtrack, Greg Whitely uses a light touch in his directorial debut. The result is a moving independent film; spare, authentic, and emotional.This is no "Behind The Music", but a reason to love rock & roll for all it is; both good and bad. Arthur "Killer" Kane achieved quick success in the early 70s with The New York Dolls. Infused with part Ramones, Ziggy Stardust, and Sex Pistols, The Dolls were avante garde rebels in an era when rock & roll fans were looking for a new direction.Commentary by Morrisey, Iggy Pop, and Sir Bob Geldof paint the backdrop. Greg Whitely's genealogical timeline takes us through the tragic fall and slow path towards redemption, culminating with a re-union concert in London.Stay tuned through the credits for a special arrangement of a hymn, arranged and performed by Johansen and Sylvain. The bluesy acoustics, Johansen's raspy lyrical pathos, and plaintive harmonica brought a tear to my eye.

Loved the movie. Thank you, Greg, for making it. Thanks to Morrissey for being instrumental in making Aurther's dream a reality and for contributing so much to the movie. Thank you, David Johansen, for singing those hymns at the end of the movie. I'd definitely buy a CD of him singing hymns! To David J., Chrissie H., Morrissey, and everyone else- have you read the Book of Mormon yet? We can arrange to have one delivered to you! I grew up listening to the Smiths, Pretenders, Clash, etc., even Buster P! Love them all. Also loved the sister "groupies" in the family history center! This movie stays with you long after the final credits roll. It has enriched my life. I'm even buying another copy to lend out.