wallacebert This is more of an impression than a review, because I only watched the first 30 min. or so. But this film is little more than a string of endlessly lurid, possibly true tales by and about an admittedly interesting guy. And, in the end, so what? There's no insight, nothing of real value - just a cesspool to either wallow in or gawk at. I'm sure RR was completely in sympathy with the filmmakers (though he makes several comments indicating that he thinks the whole project is odd). But his life (assuming his true-crime life story is indeed true) seems to be merely strip mined. Take what you can get, then get out.If you're interested in stories about child molestation, murder, prison rape, etc., then go for it. Though I've been intrigued by RR since noticing him in Jim Jaramuch films in the 80s, this offered no promise of insight. Watching this is like rubbernecking at a grisly car wreck. Nothing and no one is served.

wobelix This documentary is simply superb.Making a portrait of someone isn't easy, first of all because it has to seem effortless. That works wonderfully here, within minutes you'll get the feeling that you've known this Rockets Redglare all your life !The director has given us a true labor of love, and that same sentiment is rendered by the friends that shed some light on the guy. Without being cheesy or trying to hide any of the darker sides of his 'topic', true friendship beams out.Both funny and deeply tragic and even disgusting at times, this documentary is as honest and as well made as any portrait will ever get. It'll make you wish you were out there with them...

Liam Chang Reviewer: Liam Chang (Watertown, MA USA) - See all my reviews I saw this documentary at a sold out screening at Sundance last year, (the DVD has footage of producer Steve Buscemi and first time filmmaker Luis Fernandez de la Reguera taking questions from the audience at that same screening, a rare personal look at Steve Buscemi, for fans.)To me, a great documentary should transcend the typical format of talking heads and spliced file footage and make you feel, on some deep level, some insight on what it means to be human on this planet. For me, this was one of those films.Although this film was obviously made with more love than money, it shows that what matters isn't the budget but the heart and sweat of the filmmaker.What could have been a very depressing story (and typical morality tale)of a bad childhood leading to an adulthood of drugs and self destruction, instead focuses on Rockets charm, talent, humor, lust for life, and counter-culture irreverence. The film's not about judging, it's about compassion and understanding, warts (or should I say pus) and all.I'm afraid some people won't like the film or "get it." I read a review where the critic didn't understand why someone would make a film about someone who, besides his independent film acting career, "never amounted to much." Statements like that make me crazy.To me, life isn't about the so-called achievements one can type up in a resume, it's more about the relationships with other people you develop in your life. Even with a hellish life, odds stacked against him, Rockets never lost his humanity and managed to make an indelible impression on others. Watching the film, it's obvious how much the people involved in the film deeply cared about him, and after seeing their efforts maybe a little of that will rub off, and you will care about him too.

afc-ajax Quote: "The only possible flaw with this movie was that I wanted more of it."I find this impossible to believe unless you are a masochist. The doc seems hell-bent on portraying RR as some sort of figurehead of indie/off-beat cinema & stage...and yet you realise - watching people like Willem Dafoe and Steve Buscemi struggle to come up with anything remotely interesting to say...and looking embarrassed by what little they can muster - that RR's just a *u*ked-up guy with a *u*ked-up life.There's nothing wrong with being *u*ked-up, but the desperation evident in the way this doc was assembled (I can only assume every single frame of every interview ever shot was used) is too much. It is the antithesis of editing. I ended-up walking out of the theatre (Hot Docs - Toronto - 2003), feeling that this doc wasn't even fit for Interrogation Night at a prison camp.