Small Faces - Under Review is a comprehensive documentary film that delves into the music and the tumultuous yet inspiring journey of the iconic British rock and roll band, Small Faces. The film offers a critical review and historical analysis of the band's growth, struggles, music, and the profound influence they exerted on the music scene, particularly in the 1960s. Released in 2006, the film offers a deep, unbiased, and insightful look at the band's chronicle, taking the audience on a thrilling, nostalgic ride back to the days of raw and profound rock music.

The film is primarily a critique and exploration of the band's music—their inspiration, their process, their output, and its impact. It meticulously delineizes the inception of Small Faces, their early days, rise to fame, and the journey that led them to become one of the most influential rock bands of their time. Moreover, it delves into the band's stylistic transition that ranged from rustic blues rock to groovy psychedelic rock, reflecting an evolutionary tactic that captured the shifting zeitgeist of the '60s.

The narrative is bolstered by commentaries from a series of music critics, journalists, and other industry figures that thoroughly dissect and evaluate each of the band's albums, extracting the core spirit that they echoed. Thus, each piece of music is not just heard but understood, not just appraised but admired. The film also integrates interviews with the band members, their families, colleagues, and contemporaries that provide a firsthand account of the band's journey, battles, achievements and persona.

The film is specifically dedicated to the exploration of the band's lead songwriter and vocalist, Steve Marriott, who's distinctively powerful and soulful vocals were a signature of the Small Faces' sound. With his untimely passing in 1991 before the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the film posthumously recognizes Marriott’s musical genius and his pivotal role in the band's success.

Executed with attention to every detail, Small Faces - Under Review employs an assortment of rare archival footage of the band's performances, recording sessions, and interviews. The film expertly combines this with contemporary interviews, photographs, and other materials to paint a vivid, compelling, and honest picture of the band. The authenticity of this narrative makes for an immersive viewing experience that engrosses the audience in the whirlwind journey of the Small Faces.

Thematically, the film unfolds the layers of the music industry in the '60s, portraying the scope of endurance a band had to manifest to sustain amidst the swirling scene. It brings forth the bitter reality of the exploitation of bands by the music business, drawing from the band's own experiences. It portrays the contradiction of their large-scale popularity with their limited financial success despite their significant commercial appeal and their struggles to wrest back control over their intellectual and artistic property.

Small Faces - Under Review is not merely a band's biography or an elaboration of their discography; it peels back the glamour of the rock and roll lifestyle to uncover the passion, grit, creativity, and perseverance that artists pour into their craft. It crystallizes the truth of the time – the interplay of pure talent and sheer perseverance that made Small Faces a pivotal part of the '60s rock scene.

This film is not only dedicated to die-hard Small Faces' fans but also caters to a larger audience who finds delight in the timeless appeal of the rock and roll genre. It serves as an excellent guide for viewers new to the band, mapping their fascinating journey and output with sincerity and depth of knowledge. The film's value lies in its ability to document, deconstruct, and revive the legacy of the Small Faces, one that still resonates among many music enthusiasts today.

Simply put, Small Faces - Under Review is a compelling love letter to a band that became the voice of a generation with their raw and energetic music—an essential watch for anyone interested in the intersection of music, history, and culture.