To celebrate the 30th anniversary of his life in rock ‘n’ roll, Tom Petty proposed to director Peter Bogdanovich (“Paper Moon”) that Bogdanovich make a definitive documentary covering the history of the band.
The result is a comprehensive account of Petty’s significant rise in music from humble beginnings in Gainesville, Florida where his first band Mudcrutch developed the sound that would get the band signed to a record label albeit under the singer/songwriter’s name.
With full access to Petty’s personal archives and interviews with Petty and members of his mostly loyal band, Bogdanovich combines live concert footage to give a candid understanding of Petty as a performer and a creative artist.
Of special interest is footage of Petty and his band during their two-year stint as Bob Dylan’s backing band, and Petty’s collaboration with the Traveling Wilburys that included Roy Orbison and George Harrison.
Although frequently taken for granted, Tom Petty has had more hits than Bruce Springsteen and stands as one of America’s finest rock ‘n’ roll stars. This movie is like ice cream; you just can’t get enough. The film premiered at the 2007 New York Film Festival where it drew an admiring crowd of critics.
Not Rated. 238 mins.
