GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY

2013 / Director. Daniel Algrant.

GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY is a biographical film of sorts, which examines the lives of Tim & Jeff Buckley and attempts to explore the non-existent relationship between father and son... the film predominantly focuses on Jeff Buckley in 1991 in the lead up to his first public performance at a benefit gig for his father. The film then returns to the late 60s and follows moments throughout Tim's career, including the birth of Jeff. I was expecting more from this film and I found it bitterly disappointing. The legacies of both of these men are owed proper biographical films, rather than the story of one small chapter of their lives. The narrative travels at a snails pace and becomes bloated and existential. Neither of these men are properly examined and the brilliance of Jeff is constantly suggested but never fully revealed. All of the music throughout the film is Tim's and the lack of Jeff's music is what sorely lets it down. The performances are great but the direction is pretentious. I can imagine a heap of hipsters in deep conversation about the importance and integrity of GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY while sipping soy lattes and I also imagine few of them even knowing the music of these men all that well. I want to know about the making of GRACE and Jeff's propulsion to fame. THAT is a story needing to be told... not this crap. 

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