Better Than Something: Jay Reatard

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Better Than Something: Jay Reatard

2010

1h 30m

Documentary

Biography

Drama

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Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

The life and work of the Memphis-based punk musician.

New York Magazine/Vulture

Lindsey himself makes for a fairly outgoing interview subject, but the real attraction here is the dedication and care shown for him and his memory by the close-knit community of Memphis musicians and fans.

Oct 12, 2012

Full Review

Eddie Cockrell

Variety

Better Than Something: Jay Reatard offers an uncommonly intimate portrait of the prolific garage-punk phenom who died of a drug/alcohol cocktail in 2010.

Oct 12, 2012

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Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

[The directors] cede narrative structure to their interview subjects, which may fulfill some goal of objectivity but cheats the viewer of depth or a clear point of view.

Rated: 2.5/5

Mar 1, 2012

Full Review

Kathy Fennessy

Seattle Film Blog

If he doesn't always come across as the nicest guy in this even-handed portrait—he could be a total dick—he was never a dilettante or a poseur.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 22, 2017

Full Review

John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

An intimate if drive-by quasi-portrait of the artist in mostly his own self-deprecating, wryly humorous and sometimes painfully revealing words...

Rated: 3/4

Mar 2, 2012

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Shawn Levy

Oregonian

It's evident that he would have evolved as a musician and a man, and this tight and candid film makes you regret that he no longer can.

Rated: B+

Mar 1, 2012

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Audience Member

Features some of the last footage of the garage rockers life, Better Than Something is a loving portrait of the now deceased band leader. Mixing between ear splitting live footage and sombre candid interviews with Reatard himself, this may not be everyones cup of tea, but a must for fans of the singer.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Entertaining insight combined with raw concert footage sum to a appreciable rock doc about a modern day punk rocker.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

Insightful look into the life and times of this important musician, never boring, well-directed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

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Alex Hammond

Director

Ian Markiewicz

Director

King Louie Bankston

Actor

Shawn Foree

Actor

Ryan Rousseau

Actor

Alicja Trout

Actor

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Synopsis

The life and work of the Memphis-based punk musician.

Director: Alex Hammond, Ian Markiewicz
Producer: Joseph Berger, Alex Hammond
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2K
Runtime: 1h 30m