My Dinner with Jimi

I smiled through the whole film. The music is great. The story-telling is great. It's a wonderful film. This picture is made with respect and a true love of the sixties.

How sad that after being one of the better known groups of the time and having hits, the most interesting thing in your life was meeting other famous people.

Time has not been kind to the band. All the other bands in the film are well remembered, constantly played, numerous bios and documentaries, thought of as long lasting art. The Turtles get brief mentions, seem almost one hit wonders though they were not.

There were some amusing moments that are familiar from other films. The whole trope about young band overwhelmed by first taste of fame. But it's been done many times, and better.

MY DINNER WITH JIMI is a glimpse at Howard Kaylan's giddy and vertiginous ride to fame with his 60's Folk-Rock band, The Turtles. The Turtles were kind of a 'second tier' act during the sixties, but the film clearly demonstrates that they could eat, drink, and party with the Titans of Hippie Culture. And, not only that, they had the musical chops to back it up. Many of the stellar acts of the era are seen as they interact with the band at work and at play. This provides my only complaint about the film. Almost from the beginning of the movie, one sees that it is nearly impossible to find actors who can convincingly impersonate such recognizable stars. Too often during the film, I felt that I was watching an engaging exhibition of phony wigs and mustaches. But, if you are a fan of the music of The Turtles, or The Swinging 60's, in general-this might be the film for you. And, don't forget to view The Extras. There is a very funny (and informative) bit by band members, Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, about their disastrous experiences with managers and agents.

I just saw the film at a film festival in Hollywood. I thought THE TURTLES made a great subject, the time period and other musicians of the era were well represented. The budget is low, but the director (Bill Fishman) did a great job incorporating stock footage, animation, and a limited production schedule. Overall, if you like the song HAPPY TOGETHER, you will be entertained learning more about this group.

Also, Justin Henry, the child actor from Kramer vs. Kramer, turns out a great believable performance. Watch it.

But the Jimi Hendrix actor absolutely steals the movie during the dinner scene. If you like 60s rock, and you like Hendrix, then just fast forward to that scene.