Independent Lens (TV Series) Jimmy Scott: If You Only Knew (2004) User Reviews

Truly a great documentary

[zizlestikk · 9/10 · 12 January 2006]

I caught this gem of a movie by chance, I couldn't stop watching it! I don't normally get so emotional, but seeing him suffer so much through so many ordeals (the relationship with his father defies loyalty - almost killing his career just to please the man) and that sleazy promoter who continually crept up (like a computer pop-up) just to destroy whatever chance he had of making it. And then finally, after much time, after so many hardships to finally get recognition (AND at the mortal 'expense' of one his greatest fans (which one of us would do something so selfless?)) to see him still so happy just to perform, whether it was a crowd of 5-10 people or thousands... treating each one like a family member. Wow. I can't express enough how many would-be artists/singers/musicians/actors should watch this film to truly see how passion and dedication like Jimmy Scott makes you not only a true 'artist' but a true human being. Overcoming life is it's own feat. Amazing

Would be excellent program material for PBS, A&E, BRAVO, etc.

[strap69 · 9/10 · 17 July 2002]

I saw this exquisite documentary at the Atlanta Film Festival last month where it got a standing ovation and subsequently received the Audience Choice Award as the festival's best overall film. Although the story of Jimmy Scott's tragic life and singing career has been covered previously in other documentaries, and his story of being the victim of unscrupulous musical industry executives is not unique, this film tells his story in a thoughtful, empathetic manner that grabs and holds your attention from beginning to end. Certainly Scott is a compelling subject, and the film maximizes that fact by not just presenting us with a stream of talking-head friends, relatives, peers, etc., but by focusing on Jimmy Scott telling us who Jimmy Scott is. The film really gets it right when it allows Scott to reflect on how and why his life unfolded the way it did, and then drives these points home with Scott's renditions of poignant songs in their entirety. The filmmakers clearly understand the dramatic value of Scott's jazz vocals and his choices of material. They expose us to the anguish and pain of Scott's life in his own words and music, yet at the same time make it inspirational. The film is crafted in a loving and reverential way, and this may be its one minor weakness because it only alludes to the less attractive aspects of Scott's life and glosses over the 10-15 year period when Scott was not recording or performing. I suspect that presenting this part of Scott's life more fully would have revealed some other fascinating anecdotal evidence that ignited Jimmy's infectious enthusiasm for living and led to his "rediscovery." Yet, in just under 80 minutes, the film ultimately accomplishes something unusual for a bio-documentary...it takes the viewer on a full-gamut emotional journey. It certainly deserves a wider distribution and larger audience than it is receiving on the film festival circuit.

And you thought YOU HAD PROBLEMS. A tragedy only Tolstoy, or Shakespeare could write.

[stuhh2001 · 18 March 2004]

I watched this film with great anticipation after hearing Jimmy's records on the Temple U. jazz and classical station. His rendition of "For Once In My Life" caught me off guard. It's been done to death as a "hip" , "swingin" "groove" tune, and I must say I had OD'd on the million renditions (including mine at bar mitzvahs, oy vey!) Here's Jimmy doing it in a patented Scott slow tempo, and I'm kvelling(digging it to the max), and I say, "Who the hell is this, and what the hell is he doing?" Everyone who has tried to sing, knows that singing this slow is like running the hundred yard dash in a pool of maple syrup...it's only for the bravest, and the toughest. Gradually I found out the story of Jimmy's life. A virtually fatherless family, with ten children. The mother killed by an auto, while taking one of the girls to school. Foster homes, the kids split up. Jimmy's body stopped growing before puberty. Jimmy finally getting a gig with Lionell Hampton. Jimmy having a big hit with "Everybody Is Somebody's Fool", and all the record label says is "Lionel Hampton's Orch." with, are you ready, "Vocalist". Making an incredible record with the supervision of Ray Charles, and having it suppressed, because some jerk in New York said he had Jimmy "under contract". Years of obscurity while rock reigned supreme. Diswasher, hotel clerk, geriatric home attendant. Four failed marriages.... Had enough?.. Even if this was fiction you wouldn't believe it. And then somebody calls a radio station in Newark, NJ, and says, "Why don't you play Jimmy Scott's records?" "Oh he's dead", the DJ says. "No he isn't", says Jimmy's friend, the caller. "Well you bring me the living Jimmy Scott, and I'll put him on this station". Jimmy was on the phone for I think 24 hours with the phone lines having nervous breakdowns. The career restarts, and the incredible voice is back in action. Hollywood stars and rock mavens are taken aback and wiped out by this voice. Nowhere in this film did I hear the words heroin, addiction, breakdown, rehab. Amazing. I did hear of Jimmy's drinking, but I ask you, ISN'T HE ENTITLED? One thing puzzled me about the film. During the lean years, producer Joel Dorn, a major, major jazz force, recorded Jimmy in an album called "The Source". It was mentioned on the film, as was Joel, but where was Joel? I heard him do an entire evening on a Judy Garland album, and the man is most engaging, and delightful. I missed his input. David Ritz, Jimmy's biographer, was most informative, and added a lot. Two things completely blew my mind on the film. The opening lines to the tunes, "Home", and "If You Only Knew", the title song of the film. We've heard the line, "When shadows fall", so many times by so many corny singers and so many corny bands, the tune had become a joke, like "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" became a joke, because it accompanied strippers. But when Jimmy sang it, he reaches into your guts with a longing that will break your heart. And the way he cuts off the words, "If.. you...on...ly..knew". This is art,high art. I've watched the film about four times, hoping that some of Jimmy's musicality, and strength will rub off on me. Kudos to filmaker Matthew Buzzell, and THE MAN, THE MAIN MAN, MR. JIMMY SCOTT.