Is It's Not Repetition, It's Discipline Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2014)
Dandelion Records and DVD's present Probably the nearest you will ever get to an official documentary on Mark E Smith and The Fall. Put together over a period of 13 years by three Danish Fall fans and with full involvement from Mark E Smith this film gives a real insight into the mechanisms of The Fall. Features many live clips and rehearsals of both The Fall and Smith and Ed Blaney. The cast list includes Mark E Smith, John Peel (a real in depth contribution from Peelie), Henry Rollins, Thurston Moore, David Gedge, Stephen Malkmus, Dee Dee Ramone, Peter Hook, Grant Showbiz, John Cooper Clarke, Damo Suzuki, Gary Lucas, Ed Blaney, Jim Watts, Spencer Birtwistle, Ben Pritchard, Zlatko Buric, Alan Wise, The Other Dave and Fall Fan Dave. Bonus material includes a great interview with Mark E Smith in what was his favourite pub near Heaton Park in Manchester (sadly the pub is now closed)
✨ The Quick Verdict
If you are a fan of Music, Documentary cinema, then It's Not Repetition, It's Discipline offers a standard experience that justifies its existence in the 2014 landscape.
👥 Target Audience
📔 Detailed Analysis
The Narrative Arc & Core Premise
In the evolving tapestry of Music, Documentary cinema, the 2014 release of It's Not Repetition, It's Discipline stands as a landmark endeavor that pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Dandelion Records and DVD's present Probably the nearest you will ever get to an official documentary on Mark E Smith and The Fall. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Music, Documentary are tested.
The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Dandelion Records and DVD's present Probably the nearest you will ever get to an official documentary on Mark E Smith and The Fall. Put together over a period of 13 years by three Danish Fall fans and with full involvement from Mark E Smith this film gives a real insight into the mechanisms of The Fall. Features many live clips and rehearsals of both The Fall and Smith and Ed Blaney. The cast list includes Mark E Smith, John Peel (a real in depth contribution from Peelie), Henry Rollins, Thurston Moore, David Gedge, Stephen Malkmus, Dee Dee Ramone, Peter Hook, Grant Showbiz, John Cooper Clarke, Damo Suzuki, Gary Lucas, Ed Blaney, Jim Watts, Spencer Birtwistle, Ben Pritchard, Zlatko Buric, Alan Wise, The Other Dave and Fall Fan Dave. Bonus material includes a great interview with Mark E Smith in what was his favourite pub near Heaton Park in Manchester (sadly the pub is now closed)"
Artistic Execution & Performance Study
A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Mark E. Smith does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.
The direction by Troels Holmstrøm is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 70 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.
Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch
Is It's Not Repetition, It's Discipline truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Music, Documentary, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.
The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.
Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision
At a deeper level, It's Not Repetition, It's Discipline explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2014 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Troels Holmstrøm respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.
The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.
Final Editorial Recommendation
Ultimately, It's Not Repetition, It's Discipline is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Mark E. Smith or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, It's Not Repetition, It's Discipline is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.
⏳ Time Investment
At approximately 1.2 hours, the film requires a standard time commitment.