Spitball Army

7.0
[DVD-library]

Not the most dynamic of Beatle or even post-Beatle docs, but my affection for Paul and my admiration of Albert Maysles balances my assessment of it. As he is driven around New York City, Paul frequently addresses his driver as George, and that was slightly jarring at first. The centerpiece anthem, “Freedom,” McCartney’s response to the 9/11 attacks, is sadly maudlin and not a 21st century “Let It Be,” as some may have hoped (me included). At one point, a member of a Beatles tribute band is getting his chance to talk to McCartney during a rehearsal, Pete Townshend walks up, interrupts them and starts talking to Paul, then big Harvey Weinstein comes over and joins in and the faux Beatle just evaporates into the background – I had to laugh. The clip from David Bowie’s cross-legged-on-the-floor calliope-esque rendition of “America” from the 9/11 concert is fantastic and the most memorable moment of the film.

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