MovieChat Forums > Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015) Discussion > I recommend it highly.

I recommend it highly.

posted 8 years ago by TxMike
9 replies | jump to latest

I watched this documentary on Netflix streaming, June 2016, it is very nicely put together.

Janis Joplin and I are contemporaries, in fact I visited Port Arthur, her hometown, often as I was growing up, to visit my aunt and uncle. I am a musician myself but I was never into her music, I didn't care at all for her style, I preferred pop artists and groups like Three Dog Night, Mamas and the Papas, and the like. I purposely stayed away from Joplin's music.

But this documentary is great in that it shows us who Janis Joplin the person was. Her tough years growing up, wanting love and acceptance but being rejected finding her way to San Francisco, her perfect place in the 1960s. The documentary has lots of film of casual moments, Janis and her friends goofing off or getting prepared for a recording session. Also lots of clips of performances and TV appearances. Her brother and sister in modern time contribute, as well as her old band members.

A really, really good documentary of a troubled but important artist.

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes not.

[–] BugisStreetAnnie 8 years ago

Yes, it was very good. I think some of the footage had appeared previously in her documentary "Janis" from many years ago. I saw it and remember some of it.

What I was curious about is at one point she would be in San Francisco, then in Austin, then back in Port Arthur. I believe she had started college in Austin twice if I remember correctly. I kept wondering where did she get all of her money to keep relocating to these various cities because she didn't become famous until much later, so I'm guessing she had no real money until then.

[–] cagneychick182 8 years ago

I'm sure her parents supported her when she went home but during the hippie culture in 60s SF, she wouldn't have needed money. She hitched back to SF. It wouldn't have taken much to find a pad that crash at.

[–] BugisStreetAnnie 8 years ago

during the hippie culture in 60s SF, she wouldn't have needed money. She hitched back to SF.

I didn't think about that and it's probably very true. I just kept noticing how she was in Austin, then in San Francisco and then in New York too, I believe. She really got around.

[–] TxMike 8 years ago

Also keep in mind her father was an engineer with an oil company during the years where the pay and benefits were almost the best ever. I went through a similar career path, they were probably very well off middle-class parents. Plus college tuition was a lot more affordable back in the 1960s.

..*.. TxMike ..*..
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes not.

[–] cagneychick182 8 years ago

My mom hitch hiked thru 26 states in the 70s one summer. You'd be amazed how many people will feed you, house you, and give you a ride.

***
Truth be told, I had to see you one more time, even if it was from a distance.

[–] swangdb 8 years ago

I enjoyed it very much.

[–] gioconda91423 8 years ago

Three Dog Night?

You. Cannot. Be. Serious.

[–] WarpedRecord 8 years ago

The relentless battering of Three Dog Night continues. He liked them. He doesn't deserve to be ridiculed because of that.

[–] WarpedRecord 8 years ago

This is an amazing documentary that still feels very relevant, mainly because Janis' music still feels relevant. I couldn't help but feel hopeful during Janis' rise even though the ending was inevitable. 9/10 stars from me.