There is so much to say about this remarkable documentary, and yet what can I possibly say about the Beatles and "Get Back" that hasn't been said in the nearly two years since its release?
There have been a recent spate of biopics with shabby narratives and one-dimensional characters that exist mainly to provide a "fly on the wall" experience for the viewer who often dreamt of "being there" during those magical moments. Every one of them has been put to shame by "Get Back". Eight hours of insight into the inner workings of the actual, real life Beatles -- how can you top it?
For the most part, the Beatles were who we thought they were at the time the documentary was filmed. Paul was the confident perfectionist, assumed leader of the band, whose visionary ideas influenced the final output more than any other Beatle.
John was the reluctant Beatle, charming and magnetic, but not entirely reliable and prone to moments of lethargy. He was at home jamming with the others and goofing off in the studio, but less tolerant of the minutiae of deadlines and day-to-day business of the band. Yoko accompanied him everywhere, and it's clear that he was mentally checked out of The Beatles. The seeds are clearly sown for his departure from the band later that year.
George's heart wasn't entirely in their work either, it's clear he felt underappreciated and restrained by continuing to work in the Beatles. Some have commented that George comes across as petulant and immature, fighting over creative credit with John and Paul instead of just enjoying his fame and money. For the most part I felt sorry for George. He couldn't crack the McCartney-Lennon partnership, and had no hope of being a key creative force in the band no matter how hard he tried. John could get away with bringing Yoko everywhere, and the other Beatles simply needed to learn to cope with it. But nobody had much patience for George's meditation retreats and weirdo Hare Krishna friends. In short, George needed to go solo more than any of the others.
Ringo might have been quiet, barely uttering a word during most of the recording sessions, but his importance to the Beatles' sound couldn't have been more stark. He hardly ever spoke, but he was constantly attentive, never caused any drama, and never had a bad take. Ringo and Billy Preston were the unsung heroes of the film, always radiating positive vibes and providing the glue to keep the music flowing. Preston's entry into the band is like night and day, the direction of the project doesn't fully gel until he joins.
Prior to the release of "Get Back", the narrative was that the mood in the studio was horrible and that The Beatles were on the verge of collapse. This is partly due to the "Let It Be" documentary (which I haven't seen) that was released over fifty years ago using some of the same footage. I expected more shouting and arguments, but those are virtually non-existent. For the most part, everyone is professional and enjoying themselves when they're able to sit together and jam. A significant part of the film shows them messing around in the studio, playing wacky cover versions and impromptu jams. Seeing Yoko as a constant presence is a bit strange, she didn't merely come to the studio and hang out, she sits literally next to John all the time, huddled together with the other three Beatles in the jam circle for hours on end. But she always sits silently, never interrupts, and is never a distraction. John never asks her to do anything, never asks her opinion. After a while she simply blends in with the scenery, John clearly wanted her with him day and night, such was the depth of their connection.
I can't possibly go into detail on all the nuanced character traits, or the multitude of charming and brilliant musical moments. The direction of the project changes course a few times during the film, and we get to see it play out. The build to the rooftop concert is a satisfying payoff, but one that remains in doubt nearly until the final moments.
If there's a theme to it all, it would be the struggle between the idea of the Beatles as a band, and the Beatles as a brand. Everybody understands that the band is a valuable commodity, even outside of the the conventional record-tour-album cycle, but nobody really understands how to manage it. Today, it's normal for bands to go on hiatus, pursue outside projects, and reconvene later. But there was no precedent for it in 1970. Each Beatle had begun recording solo work -- they even released their work on the record label they personally set up to handle their interests. And yet they couldn't find a way to balance their solo work with Beatles business. It was all or nothing. They were constantly pushing forward, with new projects and new creative outlets. Monetizing their back catalog and making a profit off of Beatles nostalgia wasn't part of the vocabulary. Even the addition of Billy Preston presented a challenge -- these days it's normal to add touring musicians, but at the time it was a genuine struggle to find a way to perform the songs because the four of them on stage was the only performance model they'd ever known.
If there has ever been a better music documentary, I have yet to see it. I can't see "Get Back" being topped any time soon.
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