MovieChat Forums > The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir (2015) Discussion > Idiot Savant

Idiot Savant

posted 9 years ago by j-z-o
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Weir is truly a poster child for the 60s - "running away with the circus" to be with the Merry Pranksters & Neal Cassady and joining The Grateful Dead all before he was 18.

His insight to playing rhythm guitar to Garcia ala McCoy Tyner to Coltrane shows his genius to follow musical genius. Truly one of the greatest rhythm guitarists who pushed that function to a counter-lead...

But Weir(d) always has that vacant stare in his eyes and his commentary always betrays either his innocence or his ignorance. He is truly blessed like few have been so that it appears nothing bothers him...

He really doesn't have much to say beyond music - his commentary on Deadheads is along the lines: Well, I'll guess I'll keep the good ones and throw away the bad ones... Without copping to the drugged culture he helped to create...

His wide-eyed innocence is very charming until you think about: So Bob, what have you really been up to?

He says his main goal with Jerry Garcia was to make him happy as Garcia killed himself. Uh... happy for what? For Garcia? Or for Weir not recognizing / confronting Garcia's self-destruction? Or - maybe just not wanting to get involved... Maybe that's the nature of an orphaned child...

Weir on stage in a 50,000 or more arena - surely he didn't think everyone was straight and happy and self-satisfied? He never cops that he made a living playing music to people ***ked out of their minds, large volumes of people.

This movie is about his trip, which is cool - he is a unique soul in the late 20th century. But Weir himself is never really cool, ultimately vacuous.

Love the rhythm guitar, tho...

[–] rgl-6 9 years ago

j-z-o:

I don't want to judge Weir but I have to say that your post shows you were really thinking when watching the documentary. Your comments are insightful (and probably incite-ful to many Deadheads). I found it interesting that the dyslectic failed student turned out to be a genius. He does seem to be at peace with himself. Certainly he was an enabler for Garcia but he probably rationalized it as regulating Jerry's drugs so he wouldn't OD himself. His net worth is north of $30 million so for those that measure success in life in terms of money they will have to say he made quite a success of himself. He must be kind to his wife and children because they appear to love him--not all men can make that claim. Both Mountain Girl and Jerry's daughter appear to have a real fondness for Bob--another good sign. At the end of the day one of the few things that matters in life is how you make people feel who interact with you.

With regard to The Dead, I am among their musical admirers but certainly not a Deadhead. I saw them at the Berkeley Community Theater in 1972 when I was 17. I have been a fan ever sense. If I could only own two Dead albums I would choose Europe '72 and Europe '72, Volume 2 (released in 2011). The band was at their absolute prime.

Cancel my subscription to the Resurrection. Send my credentials to the house of detention.