I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco (2002)

88% of critics liked it
(59 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(4,490 ratings)

When photographer and commercial director Sam Jones began plans to make I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, he envisioned a long-form rock video about the making of a Wilco album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. But right from the start, it seemed that Jones was destined to make a documentary about an extremely… More When photographer and commercial director Sam Jones began plans to make I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, he envisioned a long-form rock video about the making of a Wilco album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. But right from the start, it seemed that Jones was destined to make a documentary about an extremely tumultuous period in the band's existence. The day before Jones started shooting, Jeff Tweedy, the band's singer-songwriter, called to say that they had fired Ken Coomer, and hired a new drummer, Glenn Kotche. Jones started shooting his film, in black-and-white, as the band recorded their inventive new album. He captured the tensions caused by creative differences between Tweedy and guitarist-songwriter-engineer Jay Bennett. Tweedy takes a break from making the album to go on a short solo tour. The band eventually completes the album, and after it's mixed by Jim O'Rourke, Tweedy is happy with it, and feels that the band has taken their music in a new direction. They send it to their label, Reprise, a division of Time Warner, and after two weeks of silence, the label, concerned about the album's commercial prospects, calls band manager Tony Margherita and asks for the band to make changes. Tweedy refuses, and Reprise decides to let the band take Yankee Hotel Foxtrot elsewhere. The band goes on tour, and stream the album on their website. Eventually the conflict between Tweedy and Bennett comes to a head. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (named of a song on the album) documents the unexpected trials of the band, and their efforts to overcome them. The film premiered at the 2002 Los Angeles Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Sam Jones
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary

In Theaters: Jul 26, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Apr 1, 2003
Studio: Cowboy

Critic Reviews

Peter Howell, Toronto Star
If you aren't already a fan of Wilco, a critical darling led by the talented and wily songwriter Jeff Tweedy, the film does little to enlighten or recruit.
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Woven together handsomely, recalling sixties' rockumentary milestones from Lonely Boy to Don't Look Back.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The film doesn't show enough of the creative process or even of what was created for the non-fan to figure out what makes Wilco a big deal.
Wendy Case, Detroit News
A cohesive demonstration of why Wilco, as a whole, is one of the most compelling musical entities working today.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
Even if you don't know the band or the album's songs by heart, you will enjoy seeing how both evolve, and you will also learn a good deal about the state of the music business in the 21st Century.
Eric Melin, Scene-Stealers.com
It is an often overlooked gem of a movie, chronicling the creative process of making a personal record in more detail than has even been seen. Also, the film is helped tremendously by some great music from Wilco, and a ironic, triumphant twist of real-lif
Jeffrey Overstreet, Looking Closer
Fortunately for Wilco, who have a passion for excellence, creative freedom, and innovation, Jones's camera recorded footage at the scene of a crime against art.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
..while the DVD version of the project is unlikely to win the hearts and minds of non-Wilco fans, it is a much better product than the mere film itself.
Jeffrey Bruner, Des Moines Register
Even if you have never heard a Wilco album, the film is a great introduction to the band's music and the pain that goes into making it.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
An interesting look behind the scenes of Chicago-based rock group Wilco...
Tim Merrill, Film Threat
As a study of how the current corporate idiocy impacts one man's art, it's priceless.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
More about the alchemical nature of movies than the band or their music, the picture is among the very best of the year.
Jason Anderson, eye WEEKLY
While I Am Trying to Break Your Heart is full of strong performances, Jones' film is less about the music than it is about the music business.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Stephen M

Wilco are one of the greatest bands on Earth and this documentary film of the making of their masterpiece, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", is a fascinating glimpse at record company machination vs the creation of art.
Steve K

An interesting look at the creative process and a must see for Wilco fans, who will get to see the drama behind one of the best albums of the past ten years.
Michael G

A drama cleverly disguised as a band documentary.
Patrick D

Really fascinating and sad. The filmmaker takes a meandering sort of approach, complemented by great photography. The film really makes you feel like the album is important, and I feel to a certain extent it is. The appeal of this film, may be lost on the non-Wilco fan as it's… More
Really fascinating and sad. The filmmaker takes a meandering sort of approach, complemented by great photography. The film really makes you feel like the album is important, and I feel to a certain extent it is. The appeal of this film, may be lost on the non-Wilco fan as it's very very Wilco.

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I Am Trying to Break Your Heart - A Film About Wilco (2002)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Stephen M

Steve K

Michael G

Patrick D

Cast

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