Grateful Dawg (2001)

70% of critics liked it
(43 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(732 ratings)

In the early '60s, David Grisman and Jerry Garcia were two bluegrass enthusiasts in their early twenties who met after they had seen each other perform. Garcia went on to lead the legendary psychedelic band the Grateful Dead, while Grisman became a world-class mandolin player who blended jazz and… More In the early '60s, David Grisman and Jerry Garcia were two bluegrass enthusiasts in their early twenties who met after they had seen each other perform. Garcia went on to lead the legendary psychedelic band the Grateful Dead, while Grisman became a world-class mandolin player who blended jazz and bluegrass into a unique style he liked to call "Dawg Music." David and Jerry never lost their enthusiasm for roots music, and in 1973 they formed a progressive bluegrass group called Old and in the Way with Peter Rowan and Vassar Clements. The group quickly gained a large following and sparked a new interest in acoustic music among rock fans, but a falling out led to their breakup after less than a year, and Grisman and Garcia didn't talk for nearly 20 years. In 1991, the pair began working together again, and resumed a fruitful collaboration that resulted in a number of new albums until Garcia's death in 1995. Grateful Dawg, directed by David's daughter Gillian Grisman, is a documentary that looks at the friendship and musical partnership between Grisman and Garcia, and includes live footage of the pair in performance, as well as interviews with a number of their friends, associates, and collaborators. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 22 min.
Directed By: Gillian Grisman
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary

In Theaters: Oct 14, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Feb 5, 2002
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

, Chicago Tribune
A multilayered documentary that explores music and friendship, and in its own quiet way, the battle with fame.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
If you hadn't guessed already, this is a movie about the deep-reaching allure of roots music. However, the very fact that it's about the roots music performed by these two unlikely collaborators makes it something more.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
This one's for Deadheads and dawg-lovers only.
G. Brown, Denver Post
Though Grateful Dawg isn't a great documentary, it holds plenty of enjoyment for acoustic-music fans.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
In the nimble hands of Garcia and Grisman, a reggae song such as 'Sitting Here in Limbo' or a blues number such as 'The Thrill is Gone' are tickled to new life.
Jay Carr, Boston Globe
The pure joy of music-making is what this gem of a film is all about.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a laid-back musical documentary featuring the lead guitarist and singer for the Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, and his friend, mandolin virtuoso, David Grisman.
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
[W]hen your subject is as interesting as this, and when the music your camera catches is this lively and toe-tapping, you don't exactly have to be a brilliant or innovative filmmaker.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
To hear these guys perform Off To Sea Once More, Friend Of The Devil, Sitting Here In Limbo and several other tunes is worth the price of admission.
Ted Murphy, Baseline.Hollywood.com
Gillian Grisman ... had the smarts to take what are essentially home movies of jam sessions and intersperse them with footage from concert appearances and interviews ...
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
It's up to Grisman and his family and colleagues to speak for [Garcia]; unfortunately, their comments aren't very illuminating.
Sean Piccoli, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Starts to dissolve into a pleasant but overlong home movie.
Timothy Finn, Kansas City Star
A rough, unsophisticated but ultimately endearing look at another side of Jerry Garcia.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
A pretty watchable documentary, one that will obviously be of interest to music lovers.