Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune
Director: Kenneth Bowser
Year Released: 2010
Rating: 2.0
Broad overview of the life and career of folk singer/political activist Phil Ochs, who achieves success but as his career starts to wane and the political climate changes, becomes depressed and dependent on alcohol. The Ken Burns-style approach by Bowser is more austere than engaging, and doesn't do much justice to its subject - all of his subjects are adulators, and lacks any criticism of Ochs' music or behavior (Bob Dylan, on the other hand, gets slammed frequently). It tells its story and gives a historical perspective, but not once after viewing this was I compelled to seek out any of Ochs' music. "Smoking marijuana more fun than drinking beer?" Not to me, friend.
