70
Temple's engrossing portrait of the Clash's late frontman uses endlessly suggestive montage to show how he kept punk's precepts alive, even after he left the music and eventually the earth itself.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
90
The New York Times by A.O. Scott
The film is much more than a biography of the Clash’s guitarist and lead singer: It’s history, criticism, philosophy and politics, played fast and loud.
100
The most powerful documentary I've seen all year, and one of the two or three best films ever made about an artist or musician.
80
Los Angeles Times by Carina Chocano
The film is a rigorously thorough biography and an impassioned accolade. Temple spends as much time on Strummer's life before and after the Clash as he does charting the band's powerful musical and political influence.
60
New York Magazine (Vulture) by David Edelstein
At least the movie never bogs down. But you only get a taste of what made the Clash for a brief period the most exciting band on that side of the Atlantic.
75
At its best, it throbs with immediacy, just as Strummer did.
50
Thirty years down the line, not everyone looks as they once did, so even fans will have trouble putting names to aged faces. Newcomers, meanwhile, will feel hopelessly shut out.
83
Temple introduces viewers to Strummer the punster, Strummer the womanizer, and Strummer the poseur, whom his mates could only really talk to when no one else was around.
83
Entertainment Weekly by Owen Gleiberman
Captures the Joe Strummer who, in the late 1970s, just about firebombed the rock establishment with his fury.
75
Compelling viewing, even for people who don't care a bit for the punk scene.