Knew the name and some of the stories, and the documentary film did not disappoint summing up McLean's life over an 80 min run time. However having his son narrate the documentary had me concerned from the start and my fears were justified with his son Jamie trying to show off a hard man reputation for himself.
We all know people personally who live life through a parent, and this seemed very much the case here as Jamie seemed to revel growing up in his dads hard man shadow asking the question is he viewed to be just like his dad - simple answer is no. The question of why very few of McLean's family were willing to be interviewed was never answered except Jamie's mention they were 'all a bit nuts'.
With no one else to interview its left to Jamie to recite the legendary stories he had heard growing up, some from when he was a 7 year old boy so rationalisation will have to go out the window. Do not come in to this documentary expecting many facts or hard evidence except relying on some home videos to judge for yourself.
The documentary only really got interesting with 12 minutes to go when off camera, McLean's sister had mentioned he had a darker side to him (shocker) and he could be a bully sometimes growing up. For the first time a negative issue was being raised which was much welcomed for some unbiased viewing. However things rapidly went downhill when this 'revelation' caused the narrator Jamie to feel emotional and he then gets involved in an altercation in a cafe (off camera!) to show he is a big tough guy after all - yawn.
All in a decent time passer but do not expect to find out anything new here, particularly from anyone in McLean's inner circle.
We all know people personally who live life through a parent, and this seemed very much the case here as Jamie seemed to revel growing up in his dads hard man shadow asking the question is he viewed to be just like his dad - simple answer is no. The question of why very few of McLean's family were willing to be interviewed was never answered except Jamie's mention they were 'all a bit nuts'.
With no one else to interview its left to Jamie to recite the legendary stories he had heard growing up, some from when he was a 7 year old boy so rationalisation will have to go out the window. Do not come in to this documentary expecting many facts or hard evidence except relying on some home videos to judge for yourself.
The documentary only really got interesting with 12 minutes to go when off camera, McLean's sister had mentioned he had a darker side to him (shocker) and he could be a bully sometimes growing up. For the first time a negative issue was being raised which was much welcomed for some unbiased viewing. However things rapidly went downhill when this 'revelation' caused the narrator Jamie to feel emotional and he then gets involved in an altercation in a cafe (off camera!) to show he is a big tough guy after all - yawn.
All in a decent time passer but do not expect to find out anything new here, particularly from anyone in McLean's inner circle.