Inside Nirvana


Synopsis
Short film interviewing some people claiming to be close to the band, Nirvana, which achieved cult classic status quickly and ultimately terminally after the success of their hit album, Nevermind and the single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 1991.

Observations
This documentary reminded me of something that I might see on a 20/20 special. Because everyone really connected to Kurt Cobain has been interviewed a hundred times for much better documentaries, this short gathers people with vague titles like “music journalist” and “friend.” And there are two British commentators, one with purple hair and matching lipstick! Drugs, the unofficial fourth band member in this trio, are only alluded to in passing. Kurt Cobain’s relationship with first Tracy Marander, and then Courtney Love are glossed over. Those interviewed speak in generalizations -- groundbreaking, seminal, & historical. Vague, vaguer, vaguest.

But I did appreciate that this short spent some time on the contributions of drummer Dave Grohl, and bassist Krist Novoselic. And somehow, (miraculously and probably not through it’s own volition) this short was able to stay out of the camp of the Kurt Cobain pity partiers and instead set up tent a tiny bit closer to the unbiased camp of the real documentarians.

Rating:

Amazon's entry for Inside Nirvana