The bitter sweetness of songwriter/composer Stephin Merritt's eloquently contained melodies and delightfully witty lyrics nearly succumb to his contentious personality that threatens to overpower the film.
Much of the organic narrative derives from the long-held relationship between Merritt and his best-friend/band manager/bandmate Claudia Gonson, whose commitment to Stephen and their band the Magnetic Fields runs deep.
Gonson is a loyal and resilient foil for Merritt's brooding nature. One concern with this type of music personality documentary is always that there will be too much or not enough musical performance.
Neatly woven into obligatory interview sequences are performance and studio footage of amazing songs like "Papa Was a Rodeo." There's plenty of opportunity to savor Merritt's booze-embraced baritone delivery of Gatsby-era-styled poetry. Stephin Merritt has been compared to Cole Porter and it's an apt assessment.
One unfortunate symptom of "Strange Powers" could be that it revels a bit too much of an enigmatic musical performer whose negativism can take its toll on the viewer. Nonetheless, co-directors Kerthy Fix and Gail O'Hara do a splendid job of encapsulating Merritt's musical career that includes 19-years with his band the Magnetic Fields.
Not Rated. 82 mins.
