I am Trying to Break Your Heart

Starring: Jeff Tweety, John Stirratt, Leroy Bach, Jay Bennett, Tony Margherita

Directed by: Sam Jones

RS: 3of 4 Stars Average User Rating: Not Rated

2002 Documentary

The perfect analogue to Wilco's processed alt country, this handsome documentary is stronger on atmosphere than on journalism. Directed by photographer Sam Jones, it follows Wilco through the making of their acclaimed Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Though Jones was setting out to film a portrait of the band, he got lucky when a great story fell into his lap: Tensions resulted in the firing of a key member. Soon after that, Reprise Records dropped Wilco. A commentary track by Jones and the band nicely fills in a lot of blanks, but the seventy-plus minutes of outtakes are for hard-core fans only.

MICHAEL AZERRAD
(March 25, 2003)