Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

I watched this movie a week ago and I can honestly say I have found myself thinking about it every day since viewed this "Gem". Arthur "Killer" Kane is as memorable a figure as I have ever seen or or more appropriately "experienced". He is quirky, he is lost, he is sweet and he is naive it just so happens at one time he was the bassist for The New York Dolls a pre-punk band that had mild commercial success in the mid 70's. Who are th New York Dolls you say? They turn out to be the inspiration for artists like Morrissey, Chryssie Hynde, Mick Jones and The Clash as well as Bob Geldof amongst others. The New York Dolls were credited in the movie for creating what became the punk rock wave that hit England in the late 70's. What intrigued me was that they are credited for the movement a few times in the movie and according to Mick Jones of the Clash, this all came from a SINGLE television appearance the Dolls made while in England. Watching this movie was like seeing a biography of Dr. Jekyll. Kane (Jekyll) is older, wiser and filled with faith and regret of "what could have been" beating himself up for the destruction he has caused to himself, his former wife and questioning himself about what he could have done to stop the tidal wave of failure that followed in the wake of the break up of the Dolls . Kane clings onto the hope of reuniting with his 2 surviving former band mates, like Linus does his blanket. I was moved to see a man who once was a "rock god", now humbled as he is filmed riding the bus to his job as a glorified "gopher" at the Latter Day Saints family history library in Los Angeles. Kane the once proud and defiant bass player is shown to be so broke now that his LDS church loans him the money to get his bass out of a pawn shop. Kane is shown to be deeply religious but even that does not help in dealing with his anger and jealousy over the career that David Johansen aka "Buster Poindexter" has carved out over the years while Kane faded into alcoholism, poverty and obscurity. Arthur Kane reflects the pain and confusion that everyone has experienced at one time in their life, wondering how something wonderful and so precious was lost, praying that the opportunity avails itself one last time and to embrace and clutch onto the moment. I will not spoil the ending to this beautifully crafted movie, a film that is at times funny ,emotionally devastating and inspirational. I will say that it was the first time I shed tears during the credits of movie in more than 20 years. Do yourself a favor see this movie even if you are not a fan of the New York Dolls, I am sure after you see the movie you will be...

Arthur 'Killer' Kane was bass guitarist with the meteorically-careered New York Dolls in the early seventies. Although The Dolls were hugely influential, spurring countless acts to pick up their guitars, you may never have heard of them. A shame, but that shouldn't stop you seeing this hugely enjoyable and moving documentary as it's not really about The Dolls, even though it's a good resume of what they were about: it's actually about Arthur, a damaged but good-natured and enormously likable man.Superficially his story follows the stereotypical arc of the late twentieth century rock and roll flame-out: celebrity at a young age followed by drink and drug fuelled oblivion. Where it departs from cliché, and its where the movie's heart lies, is that Arthur redeems himself in a way that nobody that knew him could possibly have imagined and finally manages to give balance and shape to his life. As such it has what I can only describe as a uniquely satisfying unhappy ending. See it.

I could go on and on about why I liked this movie but there's one thing that is most important to impress upon people: you don't have to be a New York Dolls fan - or even a rock music fan - to enjoy this movie. I was only peripherally aware of the New York Dolls music and I was captivated by this fine piece of work.This is not a concert movie though a performance is integral to the story. It's also not a series of rock videos. It is a simple man's extraordinary journey through life, a life that at times is ordinary and at others is far from it.I can only encourage you to not base your willingness to view this on how you feel about its music. If you pass by because of that, you will deprive yourself of a very special movie.

Loved the movie. Thank you, Greg, for making it. Thanks to Morrissey for being instrumental in making Aurther's dream a reality and for contributing so much to the movie. Thank you, David Johansen, for singing those hymns at the end of the movie. I'd definitely buy a CD of him singing hymns! To David J., Chrissie H., Morrissey, and everyone else- have you read the Book of Mormon yet? We can arrange to have one delivered to you! I grew up listening to the Smiths, Pretenders, Clash, etc., even Buster P! Love them all. Also loved the sister "groupies" in the family history center! This movie stays with you long after the final credits roll. It has enriched my life. I'm even buying another copy to lend out.