Harry Chapin: When in Doubt, Do Something

Celebration of Harry Chapin's life, somewhat of his music, but none of it is deep. Maybe Harry Chapin wasn't deep...? I don't know. I know little more about Harry Chapin's internal life, actual day to day life, the actual substance of his life before fame, what he was like as a person other than sort of perfect, selfless, a force of nature, principled, focused, dogged in pursuit of social justice, generous to a fault, and--in one of the interviewees' words--"saint-like," even. But no one, in reality is all of those things all of the time. Chapin, in one part of the very good footage featured here, says his song "Taxi" was semi-autobiographical. Which parts? We don't know. Family, fans, and friends clearly had a lot to do with this film--and there's nothing wrong with that. But if you're looking for a more well-rounded look at his life and art (was it art? or a few hits and a bunch of rather unremarkable songs...? we don't know because it's not really discussed), any examination of the ambiguities and complexities of how he chose to live his life (he did most of his concerts for free, he says in one interview he is nearly broke, he had 5 kids to support, dwindling output of new music and plenty of people happy to see him play for a small crowd at a charity dinner, but what was the affect on his wife and children? did he care? there's a sort of joking reference to a document he penned and signed for his wife and family in which he vowed to spend more time at home, be more available to them, chill out generally in the year to come, etc., but which he didn't honor. There's some mention that his flying zigzagging back and forth across the country continuously for tiny gigs for the charity of "hunger" meant that he--and his BAND--were not making money he could have playing a few large non-charity gigs--nor exploration around WHY he didn't act a little more sensibly? Was he maybe bipolar? What was it about "hunger" that grabbed him so tenaciously? Anyway--the footage is good, and nothing you see contradicts anything I've heard about him (my Mom worked with his wife on some local projects back then and all accounts were she was brilliant, sharp, caring, kind, pragmatic, strategic, thoughtful, and effective and he was a joy to interact with). It's not unworthwhile, at all, but I would really have appreciated more substance.

One of the best documentaries I've ever watched. Absolutely fabulous!

An inspirational and well-made film that captures the life, music and lyrics of a guy who was donating his time, talent and treasure to the other guy long before it was trendy. History teachers will appreciate its unbiased accuracy and social science teachers should show it. Bruce Springsteen's testimony of Harry's impact is priceless. And whenever the likes of Billy Joel, Pat Benatar, DMC and others are singing someone's praises as a musician and as a person, his story is worth watching. Harry was certainly done too soon.

This documentary has really captured the true essence of who Harry Chapin was and how his philanthropy and humanitarian works still live on through his family and many fans. He was an amazing singer/songwriter and left this world way too soon. Harry had so much energy and didn't waste any time. He put all that energy into World Hunger and his songs and fans. I'm so glad that Rick Korn, director and Harry's son Jason Chapin, producer, got this done. You can tell it's a real labor of love.

An excellent documentary on the life of music and activism of Harry CHAPIN. A lot of videos of his music and those surrounding his life his family and friend.

Interesting and intriguing. Worth the trip

Full of surprise musicians explaining the importance of Harry in their lives.