Radiohead - Meeting People Is Easy

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It seems appropriate that a documentary following Radiohead during the aftermath of 1997's OK Computer--an album as conceptual as modern rock can get--should also be high-concept. With that in mind, director Grant Gee has created something truly special with Meeting People Is Easy, a movie revealing that, critically acclaimed or not, the life and times of a rock supergroup can be pretty boring. Rather than focus on Radiohead's songs and concert footage, Gee takes us behind the scenes with his handheld super-8 camera to show us grainy images of the multiple interviews, backstage boredom, and all-around monotony that followed the British group in the wake of their critically acclaimed third album. With a postmodern edge that perfectly suits the band--text from interviews scrolls across the screen, half the camera angles have the appearance of being hidden--and carte blanche to follow the group everywhere they go, Gee's movie makes for fascinating (and anything but boring) viewing. You see, Radiohead's rock & roll lifestyle is one for the 21st century: no TVs thrown out of windows, no M&M candies separated by colors, just plenty of scheduled press interviews, constant touring, and the occasional rehearsal. During the shoot of their "No Surprises" video, Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke puts himself through pure agony as he tries to keep his head under water long enough for an extended camera take. ("No Surprises," it should be noted, was also directed by Gee). It's symbolic of the entire film: the band is jumping through hoops while trying (desperately) to maintain their composure. During one of the many press-conference sound bites heard in the movie, Yorke hypothesizes, "OK Computer is about everything being out of control." By the probing looks of Meeting People, that's a fair assumption. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

what a bore.......2006-07-04

I'm a big Radiohead fan but I find this documentary (which consists mostly of a shaky camera going nowhere and silly video effects) totally boring and useless. I just kept scanning forward to the tiny bits of performances because I find the rest just unwatchable. If you're obsessed with Radiohead you might like this, but otherwise I wouldn't waste my money.

The product doesn't do the subject justice.......2006-04-22

This is one of those tricky cases where the actual product - in this case the DVD - hurts the reception of the content. Before I explicate, let me admit I am a Radiohead junkie; I could probably watch a film of Radiohead putting butter on their muffins and be fascinated, just like Derrida fans. So I may not be the most objective, as far as this film goes. I really enjoyed the film; I think it is a great look at perhaps THE most important and influential band of the last decade - a period of time not exactly brimming over with music of any importance. However, as a lover of DVDs, I have to say that I am imminently disappointed with the DVD itself. There are no extras; there are not even chapters - I think it may be split into 2 chapters. So, if you want to find a scene, you have to fast-forward/seek until you find it. The producers of the DVD here took advantage of NONE of the things that make the DVD technology so great, with the exception of Dolby Digital sound (but come on, VHS does that). Just because I'm such a fanboy of this band, I want to make it clear - this is not a criticism of their albums, and this isn't even a criticism of the film itself. This is a criticism of the PRODUCT. Radiohead, at least to me, have near-inherent associations with the hyper-media modern age and technology, and the human voice amidst that world. It seems odd that the producers of the DVD would not take advantage of that. The bottom line is that this a good film documenting one of the greatest bands around, but put together in a very poor package in the form of this DVD.

"Just Adds to to the Noise...".......2006-03-02

So says Thom Yorke, lead singer of Radiohead, on this DVD in regards to the interpretations of critics about his magnificent album, OK Computer. What we have here is closer to an art film, or at least a conscious attempt to be an art film, than it is a concert memoir. The end result is visually stimulating and succeeds in providing an inside glimpse into one of the most original bands of our time. A certain, but indifferent intimacy, is established between viewers and Radiohead via this documentary. As individuals they are reluctant stars but appear quite aware that they are being watched as the scenes play out. Thom Yorke is the person we expect him to be--serious, arty, self-righteous, self-pitying, and dour. The film is much more revealing of him than it is the other band members. There is a nice interplay here between the technology that is the theme of their blockbuster 1997 CD and the movie we watch. Also, it is striking just how much these musical heavyweights appear so similar to fellows we pass without notice on the street, just like the underfed college kids that scamper around me in my neighborhood. Ah, the complexities of life.

Inspiring.......2005-10-02

This film is brilliant. As a songwriter/musician, it reminds me of the pitfalls of the business. The film is powerful. IF you want pure concert footage, do not buy this film. This is a work of art unto itself with Radiohead as a sub-theme.

Gets better with each viewing.......2005-10-02

*PLEASE* ignore the vapid MTV morons that have given this bad reviews, if you are genuinely into Radiohead, and don't just blindly swallow the latest 'fashionable' band that the music media shoves down your throat, then fear not, you will get it. Its different and for me, takes repeated viewings, with each one proving more rewarding. The upshot of it all is that I feel I know the personalities of the individual Radiohead members, from the intermittent snatches of interviews and incidents, a hundred times better than could ever be possible with your garden variety VH1 'rockumentary'. For example, Thom Yorke's responses to a clueless interviewer's questions about celebs at their gigs or his half bored/half bemused expression as he holds the microphone to a crowd bellowing the lyrics of Creep are invaluable.

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