Film Review: ‘Springsteen & I’ is Cinematic Love Letter to The Boss

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly versionE-mail page to friendE-mail page to friendPDF versionPDF version
Average: 5 (1 vote)

CHICAGO – I must admit that my fandom for Bruce Springsteen played a factor in how I responded to a review outreach for “Springsteen & I,” playing in special engagements around the country, including tonight, July 22, 2013 at AMC River East 21 and Regal City North 14 in Chicago (and again on July 30). If it had been called “Nickelback & I,” I probably wouldn’t have responded.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

But I have long had an appreciation, borderline adoration, for The Boss, tracing back to loving “Born in the U.S.A.” and the underrated “Tunnel of Love” when I was a kid, to finding “Nebraska” and “Born to Run” in my twenties, to being blown away by the great “Magic” later in life. Bruce Springsteen rules. And this fan-driven documentary definitely gets to the root of why so many have been in love with this artist for so long while also missing the mark a bit simply by its narrow scope and some unusual directorial decisions in terms of editing. The fans are fun but the archival footage, including a large chunk of a live show that will play after the film to boost its meager running time, is the real draw.

StarRead Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Springsteen and I” in our reviews section.

The conceit of “Springsteen & I” is simple – by the fans for the fans. There are no talking head interviews with the band or the hundreds of musicians influenced by The Boss. This is a film about the people who love Bruce. And it’s made up almost entirely of fan-submitted videos. A truck driver talks about how she feels when she hits the open road and “Nebraska” comes on. A man breaks into tears talking about the honesty of his favorite artist. Many of the fans recount their one-on-one experiences with Bruce, from the guy who ended up in the front row at Madison Square Garden to the guy who dressed like Elvis and ended up on stage. These are the moments that they’ll remember on their death beds and their love for Springsteen is impressive. He’s an artist that produces such passion.

StarContinue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Springsteen and I” review.

“Springsteen & I” plays in limited engagements through Fathom Events. Click here for details.

Springsteen and I
Springsteen and I
Photo credit: Ridley Scott Associates

User Login

Free Giveaway Mailing

TV, DVD, BLU-RAY & THEATER REVIEWS

  • Manhunt

    CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Dan Baker on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on March 21st, 2024, reviewing the new streaming series “Manhunt” – based on the bestseller by James L. Swanson – currently streaming on Apple TV+.

  • Topdog/Underdog, Invictus Theatre

    CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.

Advertisement



HollywoodChicago.com on Twitter

archive

HollywoodChicago.com Top Ten Discussions
referendum
tracker