Man on the Run Review: Archival Dive into Paul McCartney's Post-Beatles Era
Another substantial legacy project for Paul McCartney, who serves as an off-camera interviewee and executive producer in this documentary directed by Morgan Neville. Man on the the Run is composed of archive film, photographs, and audio recordings featuring McCartney, his late wife Linda, his children, and other associates. Some of McCartney's commentary appears to be newly recorded, while other segments are pre-existing, adding depth to the narrative.
Exploring a Tense and Fruitful Career
The film traces McCartney's complex and productive career from the final days of the Beatles in 1969 to the definitive end of his subsequent band Wings in 1981, shortly after John Lennon's death. However, the precise psychological impact of Lennon's life and death on Wings' formation and dissolution is not explicitly examined. The documentary does revisit McCartney's notably strange and seemingly casual interview following Lennon's shooting, where his shock manifested as an apparently cold demeanor, though his true thoughts remain largely unexplored here.
After the Beatles disbanded, McCartney retreated to rural Scotland with his family, where he worked on music sporadically while accumulating new songs on his four-track tape recorder. His solo albums, including the critically panned Ram, which contained perceived slights towards Lennon, fueled further discord. As Lennon led the counterculture in New York, McCartney embraced an uncool pop aesthetic, exemplified by a bizarre TV special featuring naff vaudeville performances. Later, he featured Clement Freud and Michael Parkinson on the cover of Band on the Run, a curious choice given his access to higher-profile celebrities. The film's title subtly hints that Paul, rather than the band, is the central focus of this story.
Wings and the Family Ethos
The musicians recruited for Wings included McCartney's wife, Linda, who faced press derision but responded with good humor, stating, "I'm not here 'cause I'm the greatest keyboard player; I'm here because we love each other." Fans embraced the family-oriented spirit of Wings, which played sold-out tours, countered post-Beatle critics with the massively successful Mull of Kintyre, and settled into a mainstream identity. Notably, the film omits mention of Wings' politically charged debut single, Give Ireland Back to the Irish, released in 1972 in response to Bloody Sunday.
The lineup of Wings underwent frequent changes, prompting comparisons to Spın̈al Tap, with Denny Laine emerging as the only consistent member besides McCartney. Other musicians often seemed like session players, and the high turnover may indicate underlying tensions. While some might question the need to revisit this period, the documentary remains engaging, largely due to McCartney's mesmerizing presence—his cherubic yet sharp and watchful face captivates throughout. Man on the Run will be in cinemas from 19 February and available on Prime Video from 27 February.
