Is Live At The Smell Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2009)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Live At The Smell, a standout production of 2009, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Documentary, Music landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Featuring: The Mae Shi, Foot Village, Ponytail, Abe Vigoda, High Places, Gowns, BARR, No Age, HEALTH, and Captain Ahab. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Documentary, Music 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: "Featuring: The Mae Shi, Foot Village, Ponytail, Abe Vigoda, High Places, Gowns, BARR, No Age, HEALTH, and Captain Ahab. A fundraiser for The Smell, and a toast to its... scent. [This DVD] captures 10 of the most vital bands to perform at The Smell, downtown LA's essential all-ages venue. With over 2 hours of high-quality live performance footage, this is an essential video document for the alternative / indie / noise-rock fan. From the hyper-active intro by The Mae Shi, through the heavy moods of Gowns, the precise thrash of HEALTH, to the dark techno dystopia of Captain Ahab, Live At The Smell presents a showcase of the excellent music that the community-oriented venue presents on any given day of the week, without booking agents, backroom deals, bouncers, velvet ropes, ID checks, schmoozing, or hype. All footage was shot from Sept-Oct 2008."

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. Brian Miller 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 Bob Bellerue 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 N/A 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 Live At The Smell 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 Documentary, Music, 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, Live At The Smell explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2009 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Bob Bellerue 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, Live At The Smell 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 Brian Miller or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Live At The Smell is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.