I love music documentaries. So when "Here's To Life" graced the reviews pending pile I was all over it. Being one of those guys, who likes to think he's a musician and maybe knows a little about the music from my generation, this film felt completely up my ally. However, the reality is that I'm a campfire musician, who only plays over a few drinks, two or three times a year. The same can be said about my musical knowledge and to be honest, I didn't immediately know who "The Refreshments" were. Then it hit me. I did know this band and I did know their music. Well, some of it anyhow. So the question then became: What did happen to these guys? Even more to the point, since I remember loving their debut album, especially their hit "Banditos," how could I not have noticed when they simply vanished from the scene? When it comes to one hit wonders, you can usually see just what happened, and never actually lose your love for the tunes you like. So once I refreshed my musical memory, this film really intrigued me. I should also add that once I refreshed my mind by watching the "Banditos" video, I can safely say I still love that song which made this documentary even better. What happened? Where did these guys go? It's all here in glorious technicolor for any viewer to simply hit play and enjoy. Well, maybe no play button quite yet, but it's coming. This will be a film to get your hands on when you can. Taylor Morden, who wrote and directed this film, brings us the story of a great bunch of musicians, and spells out what actually happened to this powerhouse band from the mid to later 1990s. While it's a safe bet to write that many have never heard of these guys now days, after watching this film there's an excellent chance some new listeners will be waiting in the wings; even checking out the current day versions of these great people. "Here's To Life" is a story of rising above, falling below, trailblazing and living in the shadow of a past hit. Especially knowing that most people don't even realize these guys are still playing in one form or another. One of the lines that has stuck from the film was the story of a person asking: Why are these guys playing a Refreshments song? That actually made me chuckle a little. Visions of telling people you were "that Refreshments" band from yesteryear, and said people being like "Ya right buddy. Tell me another one," filled my head as I could easily understand the irony of it all. With all that written however, after getting a history lesson from the movie, and an understanding of what happened, the more interesting aspects were actually finding out what's happening now. How these musicians have continued to gig and grow... all seemingly right under my nose. Guess I'm not as knowledgeable as I thought. The old and familiar, parting ways and knowing the show must, and does go on, all factor into this movie keeping things interesting as you rock from then to now. Technically, "Here's To Life" is a slick and polished production from start to finish. It plays as it should and maybe, just maybe better than some of the super heavily budgeted studio productions out there. The only thing that came across as slightly iffy, in my opinion, is that it might have been a tad long winded. I like my documentaries entertaining and quick. Especially musical ones. I like to be left wanting more, like winning that hand of cards twice in a row, and being told it's time to leave. I find the quick sessions leave people wanting to learn more about the subject matter, rather than thinking they've taken everything they can already. For me, a ten or so minute cut would simply have made things that much better. This wasn't an overly long or "draggy" movie, rather just slightly a little run-time heavy. Hardly even worth bringing up. So there you have it. If you remember this band, and think it may be fun knowing the lyrical origins of the world being full of stupid people, here's one for you. If you maybe want to know what happened and where these guys are now? This ones for you. If you simply love music, and want a quick hit of good old fashioned entertainment... again, this ones for you. For myself, "Here's To Life" is one of those movies I would/will love to get my hands on for my personal collection. Here's to life, and here's to music. -B
