Spector (2022) User Reviews

Grim bio-documentary is worth checking out

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 5 November 2022]

As Episode 1 of "Spector" (2022 release; 4 episodes of 50 to 55 min each) opens, it is "February 3, 2003" and someone is calling 911 to report a possible murder at the residence of music producer Phil Spector. We then go back in time tp Spector's youth in New York. His world is rocked to its core when his dad commits suicide when Phil was 9, and his mom and older sister weren't the easiest on Phil in subsequent years... At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this is the latest bio-documentary about the life and times of Phil Spector. The mini-series is directed by Sheena M. Joyce ("Framing John DeLorean"). Here she revisits Spector's meteoric rise in the music industry at a very young age in the early 1960s, only to then fall deeper and deeper into abusive behavior, culminating in the murder of Lana Clarkson in 2003. There have been prior documentaries and movies about Spector, but none go into the rich amount of detail about Lana Clarkson than does this series. Using ample archive footage, the series make clear how deeply flawed (and worse) Spector was. His daughter Nicole is interviewed extensively (and credited as a "consultant" in the end credits). Even better is British reporter Mick Brown, who seems to be the ultimate Spector connaisseur. In the end, this makes for somewhat grim but always compelling viewing.

This mini-series had been heavily promoted in recent weeks and I was very much looking forward to seeing it. "Spector" finally premiered on SHO last night, and I binge-streamed all 4 episodes right then and there. Even though there aren't any "new" revelations as such in this mini-series, I found it to be compelling viewing from start to finish. Such a massive talent, such a waste of life. Of course don't take my word for it, so please check it out and draw your own conclusion.

A tribute to a human being and a troubled but talented monster

[DaggenhamDave · 8/10 · 7 November 2022]

I turned this on because I'm a huge fan of Phil Spector's music and his Wall of Sound. I knew all about his dark side. I didn't know anything about Lana Clarkson, the 'B Grade actress' he murdered. The documentary does a brilliant job at destigmatising the label that the media used throughout the trial, denigrating the victim to less than human just because she wasn't an A list celebrity. If anything an actress eluded by success and fame her entire life, like Lana Clarkson is far more relatable to the general public. Just like the majority of us, she had to keep working to make ends meet. She just happened to be blessed with exceptionally better looks than the rest of us, so her vocation was actor as opposed to accountant or teacher.

Why does someone who pursues their passion in the art or entrainment world have to be famous and financially successful to be vindicated as good at their job, or just good at life ? 99.9% of those who try, don't succeed. We only hear of the anomalies who do, and we tend to think that's the norm. In an interview, Phil Spector stresses the part ''timing'' played in his success, I'll simplify it even more and say him just being lucky played the biggest part. There are exceptionally talented musicians, actors, film makers, songwriters, producers who will never be discovered because there's only so much room , and because they just aren't as lucky as someone like the Phil Spectors of this world are.

Granted, it is extremely sad and tragic that someone like Lana Clarkson is more famous for how she died than how she lived. And I'm sure she and the people who loved her would rather Lana still be walking this earth and never had met Phil Spector on that fatal night if it meant never having this documentary made about her. But having said that, this film at least shone the spotlight she craved on her for a little while. We get to see the person with a life, a history, a family and friends who loved and still grieve for her, as well as showcasing her talent as an actress. I think she would be happy about it.

Obviously this is not just a film about the victim. It also does a good job at not gratuitously demonising Phil Spector more than he needed to be just because it is expected to - especially in these times. It tries to understand how and why he became the violent control freak, abusive husband, and eventual cold blooded murderer. We even get to sympathise for him somewhat by learning about the death of his father and the abuse he suffered growing up at the hands of his sister and mother. It is also surprising to learn that despite everything we have come to know about him, he was a really good father to his daughter Nicole (who I really felt for). And we are also still allowed to revel in his work as a producer and a songwriter without being made to feel guilty about it.

The story of Phil Spector ties up really neatly. Lauded as a genius, enjoyed the fruits of his success, but abused, hurt and traumatised many people, particularly women. Except in this case he wasn't met with the same impunity afforded to A List celebrities up until that point. Phil Spector rotted away in prison for the last decade of his life and deservedly so.

House of Blues where Lana Clarkson met her devil through a chance encounter

[Ed-Shullivan · 8/10 · 3 December 2022]

Although this documentary is titled "Spector" and great emphasis is placed on his music genius for writing hit songs, orchestrating a new hip style combo of soul and rock 'n roll music, and discovering many new talent(s), and the wall of sound, Phil Spector's life as a short bald man is placed under a microscope and his many demons are also exposed.

Actress Lana Clarkson was a tall beautiful woman with a series of film and TV stints to her credit, none of which would make her a star, or a household name. It was Miss Clarkson's unfortunate circumstance which found her working a shift as the doorman at the House of Blues club when a drunk Phil Spector first laid eyes on her and invited her up to his mansion when the night was over.

This documentary series lays out both the music genius of Phil Spector through his early troubled childhood, his uncanny ability to write and choreograph numerous hit songs, managing stars, and the many women he first wooed, then married some, then tried to ruin with his recklessness and gun crazy paranoia.

What is missing from this documentary series was any semblance of order in Phil Spector's life one in which this documentary series shows him as a complete control freak and a man who lived in isolation and yet longed for visitors to his mansion and refused to let them go until he was finished with them visiting on his terms, and his terms alone.

The crux of this series focuses on Phil Spector's night out drinking where his last stop is at the House of Blues when he insists Miss Clarkson come see his mansion and stay for one drink. Miss Clarkson was unaware of whom Phil Spector was as a music genius, but more importantly she was also unaware of how many other women Phil Spector had previously threatened, or how many guns he owned. This was a mistake which would forever change both of their lives.

Was it a suicide, or was it just a deranged short and bald man who saw this tall blonde beautiful women as just another possession that he would not let leave? The judge and jury put Phil Spector behind bars for life as the history books reflect, and such is the highs and lows of a music genius. As for Miss Lana Clarkson we are provided insight in to a beautiful woman whose life was cut prematurely by a chance encounter at her place of work, The House of Blues, with a man with too much power named Phil Spector.

I give this documentary series a respectable 8 out of 10 IMDb rating based on a balanced story line of both the good and the bad of Spector.

Sad reflection that society has little evolved from the 17th century.

[Info-340-323067 · 6/10 · 8 January 2023]

A wealthy, popular white man, blamed for a murder. Someone had to pay (him). After the debacle of the OJ Simpson trial, the Government woud get their man. Depsite the first trial the DA went for him again, he was broke and couldn't afford decent lawyers (like me and most of us) for the 2nd trial, so he predictably lost the case. The evidence is not there to convict him; he probably killed Lana, but the eveidence it not there. Public outrage versus Evidence. Like the Salem Dunking Witch trials; if you sink to the bottom of the water you are innocent (but you die of drowning regardless) if you float your're cast as a witch and will burn at the stake.... Just like Phil Spector the proposed witches could not win. Sad reflection that society has little evolved from the 17th century. The 4 episodes reflect on a minority of contributors and very little factual evidence. It is intersesting to hear the views and recollecions of past acquantances of Spector, but none of the input helps the viewer to have a valid opnion on his guilt or innocence. 6/10.

Excellent documentary

[stevelivesey-37183 · 9/10 · 6 March 2023]

Well made documentary about the murder of Lana Clarkson by Phil Spector.

In a calm and informative manner, it starts with the crime and then goes back to who Spector was and how he arrived at his fame.

The second part concentrates on Clarkson and her career with the third looking at the circumstances of the meeting.

Although very enjoyable the last episode covers the trial and then the retrial quite quickly. I would have preferred a more detailed analysis of the evidence, especially in the retrial.

Well made documentary about the murder of Lana Clarkson by Phil Spector.

In a calm and informative manner, it starts with the crime and then goes back to who Spector was and how he arrived at his fame.

The second part concentrates on Clarkson and her career with the third looking at the circumstances of the meeting.

Although very enjoyable the last episode covers the trial and then the retrial quite quickly. I would have preferred a more detailed analysis of the evidence, especially in the retrial.