Chuck Berry

Director of 2004's critically acclaimed Ray, Taylor Hackford dipped his toes into musical-biopic waters producing 1987's La Bamba. But he jumped headfirst in the deep end with this documentary on tetchy pioneer Chuck Berry, filmed in 1986 to coincide with his celebratory 60th birthday all-star concert (curated by Keith Richards). This year, Berry turns 80, and Hail! Hail! is turned out in a deluxe two-disc set. What is mesmeric is whether the new Dolby Digital/DTS soundtrack or Berry, the unrelenting arbitrator, is punchier. Berry soldered rhythm and blues roll to rock, yet is revealed from both sides of the camera as an institutional, obstinate incendiary rarely rolling with the punches. But like a Popeil gadget, wait, there's more! A four-disc limited set appends hour-upon-hour of additional rehearsals and recollections from Berry's contemporaries such as Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Johnnie Johnson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Dixon and others, discussing the struggles that forged an idiosyncratic neurotic, unwaveringly watchful of shortchanging, such as Berry. Hail! Hail! is a Cadillac treatment.

??
4 stars