A great study of a very complex and talented rock idol.

Rating: Null/10 (26 October 2001)

For those of us that grew up in the sixties and seventies many remember wild parties, rampant availability of drugs, emotional distancing from our gov't and the war, and rock 'n roll. It was a time of social involvement and tuning out. And it was a time that saw music icons become our evangelists.
Jim Morrison was that type for many. A UCLA dropout whose mystical lyrics and style masked a deep pain about his family upbringing. A character so complex that even the other band members were both in awe and disgust over the guy who was clearly the heart of the group. Morrison's life and death is a topic of legend and Oliver Stone does a marvelous job bringing all those complexities to film. The technical way the film is shot is terrific and helps to recreate the haziness that pervaded much of the late sixties.

But it is Val Kilmer's incredible performance that stands out above even the film. He so "nails" the character that as the movie moves forward you'd swear Kilmer and Morrison are one. Much in the same way Gary Busey was Buddy Holly, in his portrayal, Kilmer is Morrison. Also, as Busey should have won an Academy Award for his performance so should have Kilmer.
The dialogue, dress, attitudes, style are all period. The music, for anyone familiar with the short but terrific contribution of the group, is outstanding. This is a movie, that despite its length, keeps you riveted and keeps me coming back from time to time.