Better Than Something: Jay Reatard

Better Than Something: Jay Reatard is a poignant documentary film released in 2011 that provides an insightful journey into the life and career of the late punk rock musician, Jay Reatard. This film employs a rich blend of interviews, performance footage, archival material, and personal moments allowing us to understand more about the fascinating yet troubled life of this extraordinary artist.

Jay Reatard, whose real name is Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., was a prominent figure in the punk rock genre, especially known for his prolific recording career and intense performances. He is fondly remembered and deeply respected by fans and peers alike, projecting chaotic energy and raw passion from the stage and studio, giving a new life to punk rock music. Sadly, Jay passed away prematurely at the age of 29. This tragic event sparked a wave of interest in his life and art, which led to the making of Better Than Something: Jay Reatard.

Although the film starts only a few months before Jay's untimely passing, directors Alex Hammond and Ian Markiewicz focus on presenting an authentic narrative of Jay's life, rather than dwelling solely on his death. They account for his transformative journey from his Memphis roots to achieving underground fame. What also becomes clear is that Jay was not just another rock musician; he was someone determined to transcend the boundaries of punk rock, continuously evolving his sound.

The film tactfully mixes in talking-head commentary from those who knew Jay best, including his music contemporaries like King Louie Bankston and Shawn Foree, while also providing insights from his personal life. The interviews reveal a complex personality: a man who was considered rebellious and volatile, yet was also raw in his expressiveness, remaining forever committed to his art.

Better Than Something: Jay Reatard provides a guideline to Jay's ultraprolific discography, while portraitizing the man behind this vast body of work as someone striving to prove his worth in the most honest and unapologetic ways possible. Only he could live up to the ferocious pace set by his creative appetite, releasing 22 albums during his youthful, decade-spanning career. This documentary underlines that it was not only quantity, but also the quality of his work that set him apart, with Reatard's music documented in vivid detail, giving fans a deeper understanding of his unique auditory DNA.

His story is highlighted by candid, revealing clips from what would become his final interview. Here, Reatard’s views - on everything from his upbringing and difficult childhood to his views about death and his own mortality - are combined with raw emotion, demonstrating both the drive and the conflict that characterized his life. As the film progresses, one of its central themes emerges: the constant struggle between Reatard's genius creativity and his inner turmoil.

There are deeply moving moments throughout Better Than Something: Jay Reatard, but there's also a sense of joy in seeing a man at the peak of his creative powers. The lover of vinyl records, the obsessive composer, the uncompromising performer - we see all sides of Jay Reatard in this documentary, with some of his best music serving as the soundtrack.

This film is more than just a typical rockumentary; it is an intimate portrait of an artist caught in a whirlwind of fame and personal tribulation. It watches like a tragic ballad to the man who lived on his own terms, with his creative energy and indomitable spirit celebrated throughout. Better Than Something: Jay Reatard gives the viewers the chance to see Jay Reatard beyond the public perception, providing a deeper understanding of the person he was off stage.

The emotionally intimate approach of Better Than Something: Jay Reatard is a testament to Jay's powerful influence on punk rock music. As such, it appeals to fans of Jay Reatard, punk rock aficionados, music historians, or even those who are enchanted by characters who defy classification. It stands as a reminder of his raw talent and the profound impact of his too-short career, urging viewers to celebrate and remember Jay Reatard, the man who was always, in his own words, "better than something".