DiG! (2003)
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90% of critics liked it
(69 reviews) -
89% of users liked it
(7,472 ratings)
Courtney Taylor of the Dandy Warhols provides the narration for Ondi Timoner's DIG!, which documents the divergent paths of two rock bands with similar influences. While the Warhols, self-described as the "most well-adjusted band in America," sold a lot of records in Europe before achieving… More Courtney Taylor of the Dandy Warhols provides the narration for Ondi Timoner's DIG!, which documents the divergent paths of two rock bands with similar influences. While the Warhols, self-described as the "most well-adjusted band in America," sold a lot of records in Europe before achieving commercial success in the U.S., the Brian Jonestown Massacre, led by the mercurial Anton Newcombe, self-destructed in an orgy of drug abuse and internal squabbling. Timoner followed the groups' fortunes for about seven years. In the late '90s, the groups met, and Taylor forged a friendship with Newcombe, whom he greatly admired. The bands often played together, and while BJM were being courted for a seemingly surefire major label deal, the Warhols signed with Capitol. As Timoner documents, the record deal and its attendant perks marked the beginning of a rift between the bands, as BJM members seemed to resent the Warhols' success, while the Warhols seemed all too willing to rely on their association with their out-of-control counterparts in BJM to gain a certain punk credibility. Timoner focuses more heavily on the antics of Newcombe and his band, capturing a spectacular meltdown at an industry showcase, a poorly planned tour that finds the band playing a ten-hour show for an audience of around ten people, and an embarrassing drug bust on the road. Eventually, the division between the former friends reaches the point where BJM puts out a record attacking the Warhols, and Newcombe, struggling with a life-threatening drug problem, begins stalking them at their shows, either in a misguided attempt to gain publicity or with sincere ill will. DIG! won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and was selected for the 2004 edition of New Directors/New Films. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- R, 1 hr. 50 min.
- Directed By
- Ondi Timoner
- Written By
- Ondi Timoner
- Genres
- Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Special Interest
- In Theaters
- Oct 8, 2004 Limited
- On DVD
- Apr 12, 2005
- Studio
- Palm Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
[An] unflinching look at the rock world.
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Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
It's a classic music soap opera, but never told with a more raw scream for help at its center.
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Chris Riemenschneider, Minneapolis Star Tribune
In a year that has seen several fascinating documentaries on famous rock stars and their problems, Dig! stands out for being about musicians who only think they should be famous. And, man, do they have problems.
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Bob Townsend, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Its power comes from Timoner sticking with the story over the long haul -- on the road, in hotel rooms, backstage -- getting in-your-face footage and telling a good tale with it.
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Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
There's nothing cautionary in DiG! that you couldn't learn by renting the 1986 Sex Pistols-related biopic Sid and Nancy -- or exploring the commercially still-born yet revered career of the Velvet Underground.
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