MovieChat Forums > Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007) Discussion > Depp? Cusack?

Depp? Cusack?

posted 16 years ago by Enigma1625
7 replies | jump to latest

Loved this documentary, but the one downside was interviewing people like Johnny Depp and John Cusack. What the hell? Neither had any real insights--just because Cusack saw Strummer play live a few times doesn't mean he was a worthy interviewee, and Depp didn't have anything to say at all, especially that last part where he was just rambling off vague guesswork.
I hate when documentaries show us famous people talking about famous people they never even really knew. At least this one didn't go tooo far with that.

[–] nunomarkl-1 16 years ago

John Cusack was actually friends with Strummer. They worked together in the superb "Grosse Pointe Blank" movie, co-written and produced by Cusack (which was also the star of the film). Cusack invited Strummer to do the film's original score which, to this day, remains unreleased (there were two volumes of the "Grosse Pointe Blank" soundtrack, but both are song compilations). So, it makes perfect sense to have him in the documentary.

[–] Enigma1625 16 years ago

I stand corrected regarding Cusack, although (as others have already pointed out in other threads) it would have been nice for the filmmaker to indicate who exactly the interviewees were and what their connections were to Strummer.
I'm still at a loss as to what Depp was doing in this thing...

[–] RomKyzar 16 years ago

Johnny Depp is a good long time friend of The Pogues, he probably met Joe Strummer with them.
I'm just guessing though.

[–] YouKnowMyName68 15 years ago

How long is a long time? Johnny Depp, as far as I remember, is the actor from 21 Jump Street and The Nightmare On Elm Street.

What you see is not necessarily what you get,
Not trying is dying, keep trying unto death....

[–] gumborific 16 years ago

I have no issue with two celebrities that had a passion for Strummer and his work being interviewed. I suppose two indiscriminate fans could have taken their place, but then you would lose perspective, especially since many people know about the Cusack/Strummer connection, and that Depp was a musician who knew some of the same people in the early 80's that Strummer did.
I could live without Depp being there, but it doesn't bother me. He does talk out of his bungus a lot, but that is just Depp being Depp.

"In our wings that bark, flashing teeth of brass, standing tall in the dark" - David Bowie

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] YouKnowMyName68 15 years ago

Yes, that is a very questionable moment and I am perplexed by it.

What you see is not necessarily what you get,
Not trying is dying, keep trying unto death....