Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten DVD Review

If The Clash was the only band that mattered, was Joe Strummer the only frontman who mattered? Probably not, but there is no doubt that Strummer had one of the biggest impacts on rock history.

The Future is Unwritten has an interesting twist compared to most documentaries about deceased people. What makes this documentary different is that it is narrated by Strummer himself through old interviews which detailed his life. The narration works well and the clips presented along with the narration fit seamlessly. There is plenty of interesting footage shown in this film, like live sessions with bands he was a part of prior to the Clash and footage outside of performing.

Another odd characteristic about this film which also pays off well is the odd cast of people who were chosen for interviews. People who had no personal connection with Strummer chime in around a bonfire to give their opinion on his music, and how it touched their lives. People such as John Cusak, Johnny Depp, Bono, and Matt Dillon tell why Strummer was so influential on not only themselves but the world.

Strummer’s life wasn’t necessarily that intriguing, which won’t make this a must watch for people who have no interest in the Clash or Strummer, but the documentary was so well put together that it is able to hold strong even due to the lack of excitement.

I do however have one gripe about this documentary. I found that the mixing of the audio was poorly done. The narration and interviews were far too low in comparison to the volume of the music. I would be cranking up the volume late at night to hear what Strummer was saying and then a few seconds later "Rock the Casbah" was erupting in my house waking up the entire neighborhood. I tried turning off the subwoofer, and putting my stereo in modes which are more adequate for night time watching but nothing really worked. I only watched in 5.1 which may have been the problem, but I really wish that the audio could have been mixed better.

All in all, this is a good DVD, with a ton of extras in interviews and a great collection of footage and narration from Strummer himself.

Grade: B