Some kind of Monster film review

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SOME KIND OF MONSTER

When directors Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger turned up to make a film of Metallica's recording of their 2003 album St. Anger, they assumed that it would be a straightforward three-month job. Little did they suspect that seven hundred and fifty days later they would still be filming, and the resulting documentary makes even This is Spinal Tap seem believable. The highs and multitudinous lows of a hugely successful metal band are here to see in an eye-opening, hilarious and eventually touching film.

After first getting together in the early 80s in a heavy metal alliance to take music on from Black Sabbath, Metallica became known for their partying ways as much as their sound. They endured the usual rock and roll excesses, kicking out original member Dave Mustaine due to his alcohol problems and losing guitarist Cliff Burton in a tragic bus accident. But in 1991 their Black album sent them into another stratosphere: 100 million album sales later and they have arguably become the biggest act on the planet.

The film opens in 2001 with the band re-uniting in the studio at a tense time. Guitarist Jason Newsted has left the band (apparently to save his sanity) and the three remaining members are finding it a little difficult to talk to each other. Singer James Hetfield is undergoing mood swings due to substance abuse problems. Drummer Lars Uhlrich is the most hated man in America due to his anti-Napster litigation, while guitarist Kirk Hammett (very much the Derek Smalls of the outfit) bemoans the demise of the guitar solo and takes solace in horse-riding at his ranch.

In order to get everyone focussed on the project in hand, the band hire a leading psychologist, Phil Towle, on a rate of $40,000 a month. Towle has had success with football and basketball teams, but little can have prepared him for the mayhem created by the Metallica monster. After three months of barely repressed anger, Hetfield walks out of the studio, leaving the others to ponder the fate of their band.

One year later, Hetfield returns. Having undergone clinical therapy he is back with a new outlook, and a spirit of understanding begins to surround the band. But they still have a number of problems. What to do about Dr Phil? They keep him. How are they going to come up with some new songs? They decide to write as a group. And will they even be able to get along in the studio? They do, but with some choice arguments and paranoias coming to the fore.