Cert – 15, Run-time -1 hour 55 minutes, Director – Morgan Neville
Documentary looking at Paul McCartney’s 70s career, from the break-up of The Beatles to chart success of Wings.
Throughout the 70s, through solo work and the success of Wings Paul McCartney is, and was, asked about whether The Beatles will be getting back together. Increasing millions are offered for them to perform just one song together on stage again, as they all continue with their own projects – especially Lennon and McCartney. In the case of the latter during this decade, the focus of Morgan Neville’s Man On The Run, moving on from this period of his life is a major point. He wants to explore different pursuits, although many will point to echoes of The Beatles within them.
Despite McCartney’s want to move on with both life and work, in looking at how he does this Neville seems to consistently refer back to The Beatles making it somewhat hard to look at Wings as its own thing with the overhanging past success. Yet, McCartney, interviewed by the director in multiple sessions forming the film’s narration, is open about his attitudes at the time to making music and spending time with his family. The struggles he went through in trying to pursue both amongst hassle from the press and fans.
There’s something of a whistle-stop nature to the film as it covers the decade and everything that was thrown at McCartney as part of it, and in turn he threw back at it. As someone largely only familiar with the hits around this time, and even some of those I’m still clueless about (I’d comfortably say I know more about The Frog Chorus than any of his 70s work), I still felt as if the film occasionally repeated itself or leaned back into familiar subjects rather than referring back to them with more depth. This, again, particularly feels the case with references to The Beatles and the Lennon-McCartney relationship, even if this does produce the more emotional side of the film’s subject in the later stages when talking about the pair making up.
When looking at McCartney going out and simply performing, doing what he wants to do, and letting that work almost speak for itself the film is at its best. Whether deciding to release his take on Mary Had A Little Lamb, strange TV specials in the early 70s or going out and performing while everyone demands or expects his former bandmates to appear on stage when admiring the artist and his work over talking about success the film is largely at its best. Especially when backed by McCartney talking about his drive, connection with band, family and music and wanting to do well with all of them. I just wish that things didn’t feel as if they had to unnecessarily refer back so much to The Beatles.
When looking at McCartney’s views on his work and relationships, in the many forms each takes, his drive boosts the footage of his various performances. However, Man On The Run, like the star in the view of many in the 70s, lives in the shadow of The Beatles with a few too many references to the band.
Just A Little Bit Random 