Rent Jimi: All Is by My Side (2014)

Jimi: All Is by My Side review by Michelle Sommerville - Cinema Paradiso

Jimi: All Is By My Side is a 2013 British-Irish drama film about the one and only Jimi Hendrix. While Jimi made an impression and was a leader in the industry, unfortunately this film has not followed suit. It is a disappointing finished product, despite certain aspects working hard to salvage it.

The film focuses on the life of Jimi Hendrix before he became the famous icon we know him as today. With talent and powerful personalities surrounding him, we see what influenced him, and get a taste of what he was really like before stardom.

You will never believe who plays the legendary Jimi Hendrix: Andre Benjamin from OutKast. Yes, a 40 year old playing a man who died at 27 years old. He did a very good job, and held the film together. The women in the cast were also amazing, and showed that behind every powerful man, is an even more powerful woman (for good or for bad).

I am not well-versed in the details of Jimi’s life, so I had a hard time separating the fact from fiction. This was made all the more difficult with reports stating it was not endorsed by the Hendrix Estate; therefore lacking credibility. Even if it isn’t entirely factual, it is still an interesting film, but it defeats the purpose and mars an image if purposely made to be fictional.

The primary focus of the film are those around Jimi - particularly three women who were the biggest influences in his life. While this only gave us a limited look into Jimi’s life, it is a better decision than to attempt to portray too much and risk losing audience attention.

The film is written and directed by John Ridley, who is mostly known for his film 12 Years A Slave. While other filmmakers would have thrown in the towel when they couldn’t get endorsement, Ridley made it work for him. His use of lens flares, jump cuts, and era-themed visuals were well placed, and added to the aesthetic of the film.

The clothes were also very era-correct; not too over-the-top, just enough. Obviously, the music is an important part of this film. However, with its focus on Jimi before he made all of those songs we love, and the lack of endorsement and permission by his estate, we do not hear any of the songs that were written by him.

Jimi: All Is By My Side has received mostly positive reviews. Critics have been more favourable than general audience members, perhaps because they are more understanding of why Ridley made some of the creative decisions he did.

If you are after a film about Jimi Hendrix playing all the songs you know and love, then this is not the film for you. If you are after a much quieter (though still debated) look into his life before stardom, then look no further.

I would not particularly recommend this film over others, and can only give it a rating of two out of five stars.