Cameron A. Straughan For better or worse, I've always placed Nick Cave within my "men in black" subgenre. Defining characteristics of these musicians include distinctive baritones, poetic lyrics, sunglasses, cool detachment, interesting hair and - of course - black clothing. Other members include Roy Orbison, Scott Walker, The Doors, Echo & the Bunnymen, The Stranglers, The Sisters of Mercy, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Tindersticks, and the genre godfather - Johnny Cash. Troubled troubadours, drugs, fisticuffs, rivalries, commercial suicide and near self-destruction are unfortunate traits of this motley crew. If you're not a fan, you may consider these artists inaccessible, pretentious, self- indulgent doom-mongers. What's surprising about 20,000 Days On Earth is that directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard have managed to peel back layer after layer of Nick Cave's dark, mysterious facade to reveal an open, honest, sympathetic, and refreshingly down-to-Earth artist. Even more surprising is the way they go about it.The press kit heralds their "inventive, lyrical ode to creativity and an intimate examination of the artistic process of musician and cultural icon Nick Cave" fusing "drama and documentary, weaving a staged day in Cave's life with never-before-seen verité observation of his creative cycle." This threatens pretension à la Jean Luc Godard's misguided Sympathy For The Devil. However, the film remains remarkably accessible despite these lofty claims. More surprising still, Cave manages to make Brighton seem cool - by his presence alone.The opening scene of Cave awakening next to his wife may look familiar; it's shot in the same bedroom gracing the cover of his most recent release - the eerie, atmospheric Push The Sky Away (the distinctive blinds give it away). The film captures several souls who have walked the line with Cave. While she is not interviewed, Cave's wife Susie Bick is very much present. She appeared nude on the striking black and white cover of Push The Sky Away. Perhaps Cave marrying a model is the one rock and roll cliché we can allow this otherwise elusive, unpredictable man; although Bick's past as the cover model on The Damned's LP Phantasmagoria suggests that she was always the perfect match for Cave. Cave's sons also appear briefly (enjoying pizza and a film with their gothfather). While access to Cave's family is limited, the film spends ample time with Cave's regular musical collaborator Warren Ellis; actor Ray Winstone; and one-time collaborator Kylie Minogue, who could use more exposure. Some of these souls join Cave on subtly surreal car rides along the streets of Brighton. Surprising omissions from the world of international cinema include Cave fan Wim Wenders (e.g. Wings of Desire) and regular Cave collaborator John Hillcoat (stretching from 1988's Ghosts... of the Civil Dead to 2012's Lawless); but this breezy film is already packed with more than enough character detail. Still, would have been great to revisit Cave's thoughts on his scene-stealing turn as Freak Storm in Johnny Suede - the directorial debut of Tom DiCillo and one of Brad Pitt's early starring roles.Avoiding the obvious and predictable, Forsyth and Pollard take us on a journey through Cave's memories via mementos from his personal archive - almost Kubrick-like in its scope and attention to detail. One of the film's best moments is Cave's droll, matter-of-fact account of a 'transformative' Nina Simone performance. Placed on the mercy seat, Cave opens up to a psychoanalyst as he discusses how his early years continue to inform his work. Here 20,000 Days dives 20,000 leagues into Cave's subconscious. Expecting a dark descent into a swirling, solipsistic maelstrom of madness and regret? Think again. On this occasion, Cave is relaxed, genial, and forthright. Of course, in addition to the Cave exploring, 20,000 Days On Earth contains electrifying performances and behind-the-scenes studio footage that will delight die-hard fans of both Nick Cave and Lionel Richie.The degree of intimacy throughout 20,000 Days On Earth would not have been possible with a more mainstream artist. Cave is the perfect subject - popular enough to be interesting, yet mysterious enough to warrant further exploration. The film's unique approach and sensitivity to its subject may be due to the man and woman directorial team, offering us a more balanced view of Cave. Of course, it also helps that Forsyth and Pollard worked with Cave in the past.Ultimately, the mark of a great music documentary is what you do when the film ends. If you start rummaging through old vinyl, CDs, or digital files to satisfy a certain curiosity - then it worked. 20,000 Days on Earth made me crave some Cave. Thus, as I listen to Push The Sky Away, I recall that mesmerising final image of Nick Cave, alone on the darkened Brighton shoreline. The camera gently floats away, leaving Cave behind. Lucky for us, he missed the boatman's call. Brighton remains cool.

morrison-dylan-fan With Easter coming up,I started searching round for a music documentary that a friend could watch during the Easter holiday.Searching round on Amazon UK,I was surprised to find a doc on Nick Cave,which led to me picking up a bunch of bad seeds.The plot:Waking up on his 20,000th day alive,musician Nick Cave begins recording a new album with regular collaborator Warren Ellis.Along with recording a new album,Cave begins to talk to friends about why they do particular professions.Whilst making music & talking to friends,Cave begins reflecting on memories,and the meaning of his existence.View on the film:Opening with an atmospheric shot which has Nick Cave's life flash before the viewers eyes,co-writers/(along with Nick Cave)directors Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard take a fascinating,partly-staged improvisation /partly- real approach to the movie,with Cave being kept driving in a car, (to a destination that is never revealed)whilst talking to friends who disappear like ghosts.Staging scenes of Cave talking to a shrink,Forsyth and Pollard use the fictional moments (such as Cave talking to a fan who is playing his shrink,and 2 archivists pretending to be working on a Nick Cave archive) to superbly emphasis the psychological connection that Cave makes with his audience in the thrilling concert footage.Appearing like a preacher in the concert footage,Nick Cave gives an excellent performance as himself,with Cave giving the movie strong mythical vibes during his car journeys.Cave also gives the movie a hauntingly deep melancholy streak,as Cave attempts to piece together fading memories with the film makers,on his 20,000th birthday party.

tiggersuk i can't even begin to express my disappointment with this movie, it is just shameless self indulgent self promotion where the camera follows Nick about with him waffling on and hinting at how talented and what a creative genius he is when in fact it's actually all rather dull and boring and ultimately very poor indeed! i really did think he would be better then that!i actually found that live concert scene with him on stage and all those 'Q' magazine, guardian reader types swooning to be so cringe worthy and embarrassing it was almost laughable... and as for scene with his therapist i presume that was some sort of joke but without a punch line... after watching this i am genuinely amazed at the love some people have for Nick cave...don't get me wrong Nick cave has done some great songs in his career, some truly beautiful pieces but he has also in his time done a lot and i mean a lot of very average second rate rubbish... and this movie is second rate at best! 2/10

carlillfamily-114-578298 I struggled to become involved in this. It seemed to me that Nick Cave is involved enough in himself for both of us. I found the film pretentious & self indulgent. Some of the musical themes were good, but the lyrics were repetitive and boring. Personally I don't think this is singing.Cave seems to have created a mesmerising persona, which, for some reason beyond my comprehension, garners him thousands of ecstatic fans. As for this film elucidating the creative process, I doubt anyone would be able to learn how to be creative from this.It's probably a generational thing, but this seemed to me like the "Emperors new Clothes".