A new documentary film promises a moving and enjoyable tribute to the final chapters of David Bowie's extraordinary career, even as some may question the sheer volume of posthumous retrospectives.
Navigating the Later Years
With the upcoming opening of the David Bowie Centre at London's V&A Storeroom, the comprehensive 2022 documentary Moonage Daydream, and the 2017 BBC show David Bowie: The Last Five Years, the appetite for Bowie content seems insatiable. The new film, 'Bowie: The Final Act', focuses specifically on the artist's output in the 1990s and 2000s—decades that, as the film acknowledges, were not considered his creative golden years.
After the constant reinvention that defined his 70s and early 80s peak, Bowie's direction in the 90s left some fans perplexed. The film doesn't shy away from this, featuring critic Jon Wilde's infamous Melody Maker review of Bowie's band Tin Machine, which he dismissed as "glorified pub rock" and concluded with the harsh line: "You're a fucking disgrace." Wilde himself is seen shaking his head as he re-reads the scathing critique.
Highlights and a Glastonbury Comeback
Despite periods where Bowie appeared to be following trends rather than setting them—including a brief venture into drum & bass—the documentary finds light amidst the critical gloom. It is enriched by touching and insightful contributions from key collaborators, including producer Tony Visconti, keyboardist Rick Wakeman, singer Dana Gillespie, writer Hanif Kureishi, and guitarists Earl Slick and Reeves Gabrels.
The narrative frequently flashes back to his halcyon days, using Bowie's lifelong fascination with outer space as a consistent thematic thread. A significant moment highlighted is Bowie's legendary performance at Glastonbury in 2000, which is positioned as a major comeback that cemented his status as a living legend for a new generation.
A Poignant and Defiant Finale
However, the film argues that creatively, it was arguably only his final album that truly stood out from his later work. 'Blackstar', released just days before his death in 2016, is presented as his profound creative last stand. The documentary becomes particularly moving as it details the secretive recording process for the album, which everyone involved understood would be his final project.
Tony Visconti, Bowie's lifelong friend and collaborator, provides heartrending commentary a decade on, reflecting on crafting what would become a poignant, defiant, and dignified farewell to the world. While it would be wrong to call it 'going out on a high' given the tragic circumstances, the film finds heart in Bowie's ability to shape his own exit with such artistic clarity.
'Bowie: The Final Act' will be released in UK and Irish cinemas from 26 December.
