Phil Ochs: There But for Fortune

First Run Features | Release Date: January 5, 2011

8.2	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 6 Ratings

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Biff_LomanApr 17, 2011

The film captures the grimness of that era, the struggles of the civil rights era, the shock of the Kennedy and MLK assassinations, and the interminable horror of the Vietnam War. It's a worthy corrective to mendacious film fantasies likeThe film captures the grimness of that era, the struggles of the civil rights era, the shock of the Kennedy and MLK assassinations, and the interminable horror of the Vietnam War. It's a worthy corrective to mendacious film fantasies like Forrest Gump. Those born since the '70s have no idea of how threatened, paranoid and alienating it was in post-WWII America, and the propaganda ministry of the mainstream media tends to keep it that way. With regards to Ochs, the film exaggerates his interest in pop-stardom, which was always an absurdist parody of same. Likewise the influence of John Wayne. James Dean was a real influence, particularly the misunderstood rebel without a cause who died an early tragic death. Likewise, the diagnosis of bipolarity, which is made much of, seems mainly in retrospect. Today bipolarity is a catch-all for what were in those days psychopathologies, and the victims of which were often institutionalized. Today many of the delusional symptoms of same are treatable with drugs. In those days they were not. But, distinctly, that's not what was wrong with Ochs. He was saner and more politically astute than most. Under the stresses of the music business, radical politics, harassment by the FBI, he took various drugs and drank in excess, and they took their toll. There is a form of depression that results from chronic THC intake, and it's known to sometimes lead to suicide. That may have been it with Ochs, if indeed he committed suicide.... But I digress. The film is worth seeing. Phil Ochs lives.… Expand

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BrucenelsonMar 4, 2011

Did a good job of his protest years, but didn't really delve much into his change of style or what really caused the break down. But overall wonderful to see him get the attention. The audience at the Alamo in Austin gave him a round ofDid a good job of his protest years, but didn't really delve much into his change of style or what really caused the break down. But overall wonderful to see him get the attention. The audience at the Alamo in Austin gave him a round of applause at the end. Good book about him Same title Micheal Schumacher.… Expand

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Metaman101Dec 7, 2011

Terrific film about Ochs and the sixties youth movement. But Metacritic goofed when describing Leba Herz's review as a "50". Her review is totally positive, no negatives whatsoever. Reads more like an "80" to me. The "50" is the lowest scoreTerrific film about Ochs and the sixties youth movement. But Metacritic goofed when describing Leba Herz's review as a "50". Her review is totally positive, no negatives whatsoever. Reads more like an "80" to me. The "50" is the lowest score out of 10 total and brings down the overall score disproportionately.… Expand

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