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ANONYMOUS CLUB
Director: Danny Cohen MPAA
Rating: Running Time: 1:23 Release Date: 7/15/22 (limited) |
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Review by Mark Dujsik | July 14, 2022 Australian musician Courtney Barnett is an obvious talent. Director Danny Cohen's years-in-the-life documentary Anonymous Club might take that too much for granted. Barnett is the epitome of an independent artist. Her songs, written and recorded from her home, came to some local fame, only for her to end up on the international circuit with the release of a 2013 EP record, produced by a label that she co-founded. Cohen doesn't much care about these biographical and career details. His movie is about following Barnett on tour, on stage, and in various hotel rooms around the world, as the singer/songwriter offers thoughts about how this newfound fame hasn't fixed her sense of feeling like an imposter. There's an intimacy here that's admirable, both in how Cohen, a long-time collaborator, has so earned the trust of his subject and in how frank Barnett is about dealing—and not dealing—with depression. The gimmick here is that the filmmaker encouraged Barnett to record an audio diary over the course of one tour, and that would provide the narration and direction of the behind-the-scenes look at the musician's global expedition. Barnett admits and worries that she doesn't vocalize her thoughts well in interviews, so this approach removes that barrier. She is, after all, just talking about herself, indirectly to a friend. Ultimately, the diary continued for three years, as Barnett struggles with feelings of not being good enough, of disappointing audiences, and of going from the highs of a successful show to the lows of others. There are passing glimpses of Barnett on stage—montages as one live performance plays on the soundtrack or a piece of a tune from single show. It's obvious that she's a born performer. Additionally, the songs—at least, what we get to hear of the reflective tunes, carried by some impressive riffing on blues progressions, and angrier rock ditties—will certainly catch the attention of those who know little to nothing about Barnett. The movie, though, is mostly about those quieter moments of Barnett backstage, in those hotel rooms, and back at home in Melbourne or on the road in a bus. The narration serves as guide for what's behind those smiles, hanged-head moments, and when she becomes stuck on jotting lyrics on notebook page. The bigger tour, with a band and as she wins awards for her album, starts to wear Barnett too thin, so she decides upon a more stripped-down set of gigs—just her, her guitar, and a microphone. That puts her, not back on track, but with a new sense of purpose about her work and understanding of her mental health. Barnett's personal story is strong and honestly communicated. Anonymous Club, though, comes up short on its professional narrative, which might have given the movie more context and prevented it from feeling like a highlight reel punctuated by words of bare introspection. Copyright © 2022 by Mark Dujsik. All rights reserved. |
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