Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me

Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a documentary film that tells the story of the influential yet largely unheralded Memphis-based rock band Big Star. The film, released in 2012, chronicles the band's rise to critical acclaim in the 1970s and subsequent disbandment amidst commercial failure, as well as their eventual resurgence in popularity among a new generation of music fans.

The film features interviews with surviving band members, including Alex Chilton and Jody Stephens, as well as notable music critics and journalists such as Billy Altman and Lester Bangs, and musicians influenced by Big Star, including Jon Auer of The Posies and Peter Buck of R.E.M. Alongside these interviews, the film incorporates archival footage and photographs, as well as recordings from the band's performances and studio sessions.

Through these various elements, the film paints a picture of a band that was ahead of its time, blending elements of hard rock, power pop, and folk-rock to create a sound that was both unique and yet familiar. The band's early success in the early 1970s, followed by their rapid decline, is attributed to a variety of factors, including poor marketing, label disputes, and internal tensions.

Despite their relative obscurity during their initial run, Big Star's influence on subsequent generations of musicians cannot be overstated. The film explores this legacy, showcasing interviews with artists such as Auer, Buck, and Chris Stamey of The dB's, who speak to the ways in which Big Star's music impacted their own creative output.

One of the film's most poignant moments comes towards the end, when the band's late frontman, Alex Chilton, is remembered by those who knew him. Through interviews with friends and associates, as well as archival footage of Chilton in his later years, the film gives viewers a sense of the man behind the music, as well as the impact his untimely death had on those closest to him.

Ultimately, Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a love letter to a band that never quite got the recognition it deserved during its heyday, but whose influence can still be felt in its wake. It's a celebration of the power of music to transcend time and place, and a testament to the enduring appeal of a group of musicians who dared to do things their own way. Whether you're a diehard fan or completely new to the band, this film is a must-see for anyone with an appreciation for great music and the stories behind it.