Zappa

As a pop music enthusiast, I've always had a tangential knowledge of Frank Zappa. I knew about his offbeat musical style and songs, all of the acts he inspired (including folks like Weird Al), and about his fight against the "Parental Advisory" labels on albums. So it was a treat to dive into Zappa's world and mind for this documentary.

The Setup

Pulling from hundreds of hours of unseen footage, director Alex Winters tells the story of a true musical pioneer, Frank Zappa. From his early days of musical discovery, his fight against his record label, and beyond, the film details all of the ins and outs of Zappa's amazing and all too short career.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Even with my limited knowledge, this film entertained me and made me want to check out all of Zappa's work. There is one ding I'll levy against the film, to get it out of the way, but Alex Winter and company have crafted a lovely tribute here.

The Ding: No Extended Music Clips

I think this movie was between a rock and a hard place when it came to featuring Frank's music. On the one hand, his catalog is so deep you can pull out any number of songs you'd like. On the other hand, it also feels like only 2-3 songs get time to marinate in the audience's mind. There's plenty of little features and pieces of songs, but rarely a moment where we sit with a single song, see how it was constructed, and and appreciated it. I'll admit this is part of the film's point, which I'll get to shortly, but it's something I think other rock docs have done better.

Highlight #1: Frank the Machine

I knew Frank Zappa was prolific, but this film expanded my knowledge and appreciation of Frank's extensive catalog. The film rightly portrays Frank as someone who was constantly in motion, and more importantly, constantly creating and seeking perfection. His band mates talk about marathon rehearsals and how Frank would literally hop on a tour bus and start writing more sheet music, not necessarily for the band. It seems like his mind was incapable of stagnating. They also highlight his perfectionism, which as many put it, made him frustrated with the limitations of human capacity.

Highlight #2: Frank's Political Fights

I knew, offhand, that Frank was a big proponent of artistic rights. And this film hammers that idea home. We get detailed insight into how/why he developed his own record company and why he stood up against the "Parental Advisory" stickers. He was uncompromising in his values and was willing to take financial hits for creative freedom or to make sure his music was heard the way he wanted to hear it.

Highlight #3: Frank the Composer

The film rejects the notion that Frank was simply an avant-garde rock musician. He was a composer. Literally. While it is certainly a tribute to his extensive talents, ear, and everything he taught himself. Zappa's compositions for orchestras also highlight the need for new exciting voices in allegedly dead genres. 

Verdict: Wonderful

A great film about an amazing talent lost too soon, Zappa brings the mythical man down to earth while growing his legend. 8/10