I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco

Starring:Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Leroy Bach, Glenn Kotche, Jay Bennett (III), Greg Kot, Tony Margherita, Fred Armisen, Wes Orshoski, Lin Brehmer, Chris Brickley, Jonathan Parker, Jonathan Valania, Marty Lennartz, Spencer Tweedy, Fred Longberg Holm, Josh Greir, David Fricke, Ken Coomer, David Bither
Director: Sam Jones (IV)
Studio: Plexifilm
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This splendid documentary captures the band Wilco's struggles (both with their record company and within the band itself) while recording their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is completely engrossing, whether or not you are familiar with the band. As they work on the album, there's some tension between singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy and bandmate Jay Bennett, but overall the band members are happy and enjoying exploring their music. But when they turn in the finished songs, their record label drops them, leaving them adrift with the album that promises to be a huge artistic leap. For fans of Wilco, this gorgeously photographed movie will be a thrilling look at the life of the band and Tweedy's creative process; but even novices will be drawn into the contrasts between art and commerce brought out by the conflict. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

I Was Afraid I Was Going To Hate It.......2007-04-14

I am big fan of Wilco and I have followed their career from Tweedy's days with Uncle Tupelo. After reading some bad reviews about this movie from some that called it "boring" and from another who stated they disliked the band after watching this, I was afraid I was going to hate the movie and I didn't want to dislike Wilco after seeing the film. I decided I should never let anybody else decide for me (especially in advance) or tell me what I am and am not going to like. Luckily for me, I made the right choice.

This film is not perfect. It's not supposed to be. It is, however, supposed to tell the story of a band trying to make an album and trying to get along together as people, friends, and business partners. The film maker does an excellent job of telling this story and the music speaks for itself...it's top-notch. There are a few scenes I would have shortened and I have to admit the candid scene of Tweedy talking to his wife (I assume) on his cell phone is boring, but it also allows the viewer/fan a glimpse of Jeff Tweedy being Jeff Tweedy rather than Mr. Wilco. I highly reccomend this DVD to any Wilco fan or anybody who is interested in becoming one. What a great ending!

Wilco yes.......2007-01-19

I love this Documentary. ifu love of like or whatever Wilco, you will love this film. beautifully shot and created. yes.

I Am Trying to Forget This Movie.......2006-04-28

Who cares?

A completely mediocre band is given appropriately mediocre docu-coverage. What's truly amazing -- and the only interest the film holds -- is the towering self-importance of everyone involved with Wilco. Guys, just who do you think you are? You're not the Beatles, Coltrane's Quartet, or the Brandenburg Orchestra. A rather more interesting movie, perhaps called "I Am Trying to Break Your Eardrums", might be about Wilco's fans and why they're so tone-deaf.

Almost as bad as "Darkon".

Good Movie for Wilco Fans.......2006-04-03

If you are a big Wilco fan, like me, you will enjoy this movie. If you want to know Jeff Tweedy better--or better yet, you already feel you know Tweedy and want just to see more of him--you will enjoy this film.

However, it is not a great concert film--there are many better, despite the grandiose comparisons--and it spends a lot of time on matters that will prove inconsequential in the long run. Years from now, who will really care that Wilco lost its record company after recording Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and sold the record to a different company? Who will care about the resentful difficult guy they kicked out of the band and replaced, whose name I don't even remember now? If you will, of course this film's for you.

What you have here is a well-filmed version of a reality show with really likeable characters, a little music biz drama, and great great music. That was enough for me to enjoy this film a lot.

A Rock Film for the ages.......2006-03-24

Wilco is one of the definitive bands of the times, not some flash-in-the-pan group - if Wilco were to disappear or break up tomowrrow, they would be remember single handidly for arguably having one of the best albums of the last six years, that being Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I feel we are very lucky the infamous story over that album was filmed, whether for some "looming" future purpose, or it just randomaly happened - I believe it just happened - and for that reason alone is why this film is of value.

Wilco fans, and just rock music fans, should really enjoy this documentary over the development of Wilco's classic album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, and the behind-the-music like story that takes place. The bonus disc is worth the money alone, seeing solo performances by Jeff Tweedy, and extra footage of the Wilco live. Like Dylan's Don't Look Back, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is of a classic rock film level and not to be taken lightly. Excellent film. Definitely worth purchasing!

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film about Wilco (Single Disc Edition)

Average customer rating:

I Was Afraid I Was Going To Hate It
Wilco yes
I Am Trying to Forget This Movie
Good Movie for Wilco Fans
A Rock Film for the ages

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film about Wilco (Single Disc Edition)
Starring: Jeff Tweedy , John Stirratt , Leroy Bach , Glenn Kotche , and Jay Bennett (III)
Director: Sam Jones (IV)
Manufacturer: Plexifilm
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Country Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( I ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Jeff Tweedy - Sunken Treasure - Live in the Pacific Northwest
The Wilco Book (with CD)
Wilco: Learning How to Die
Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
Billy Bragg & Wilco - Man in the Sand (The Making of "Mermaid Avenue")

ASIN: B000EQ5UPU
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Amazon.com

Description

This is the single disc DVD version of I AM TRYING TO BREAK YOUR HEART - A FILM ABOUT WILCO.

First time director Sam Jones documents the making of Wilco's fourth studio Album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Named after the Wilco song that is featured on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, an album that strays from the Alt-country that made them famous. Jones' desire was to document the creative work of YHF's production, he seems to have found a bit more, including band members departing and a conflict with Reprise record company. This is a true documentry of art versus money-driven media conglomerates.

Customer Reviews:

I Was Afraid I Was Going To Hate It.......2007-04-14

Wilco yes.......2007-01-19

I love this Documentary. ifu love of like or whatever Wilco, you will love this film. beautifully shot and created. yes.

I Am Trying to Forget This Movie.......2006-04-28

Good Movie for Wilco Fans.......2006-04-03

A Rock Film for the ages.......2006-03-24

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