Jimi: Whose Side Are You On?

Jimi: All Is By My Side is a mixed bag of a movie. It does major things right and wrong and leaves it to the viewer to pick a side. 

RIGHT: Andre Benjamin (The Jimi Hendrix of Hip-Hop) as the legendary Hendrix. Though I only know of Hendrix through his music and scarce footage, 3000 captures what I believe to be his essence accurately from behind the scenes to his onstage persona.

WRONG: The inability to secure licensing from Hendrix's Estate. This means the vast catalogue of signature hits from Hey Joe to Voodoo Chile to Purple Haze to a personal favourite Wind Cries Mary are all omitted. Whether the screenplay was good or bad, seeing Benjamin perform these had the capability (in my opinion) to save/sell this film. Many people fault the film without seeing it for this major fail alone.

RIGHT: In light of the previous wrong, screenwriters made smart and focused on the year before Hendrix made his big debut. That time was spent at New York's Cheetah Club and in London, following Jimi as he made his transition from hungry artist to new sensation. Several critics welcome the "snippet" as they feel it provides more character depth than attempting to span an artist's entire catalogue in two hours. For a biopic, I do as well.

WRONG: Public Relations. I am unaware of how much actual research was done during the creative process of All Is By My Side, but the response of some key people from his past have dismissed the movie. It is unclear if it's a particular scene, the portrayal of Hendrix himself or just the desire to keep his life private. I don't know how much effort was put into coordinating with these people but having them as consultants and securing his estate's blessing would have giving this closer to blockbuster status.

In spite of the lack of Jimi Hendrix's classic soundtrack and probable inconsistencies, All Is By My Side is actually a good film that deals more with his spirit and drive to be something more than what the world already knows him as. When the curtain closes, it's up to you to decide whose side you are on...