Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: May 4, 2015
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 59
  3. Negative: 7 out of 59

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User Reviews

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  1. TheZeroPercent
    May 5, 2015
    10
    This is an AMAZING doc, not only of Kurt, but just in general also. I know and have learned a lot about him over the last 20 years, and I was REALLY pleasantly surprised at the rarity and uniqueness of the material. It reminded me a lot o Daniel Johnston's doc(which IMO I'd one of the best artist docs ever).

    Also, if the family or partners are reading this, you really should be proud    This is an AMAZING doc, not only of Kurt, but just in general also. I know and have learned a lot about him over the last 20 years, and I was REALLY pleasantly surprised at the rarity and uniqueness of the material. It reminded me a lot o Daniel Johnston's doc(which IMO I'd one of the best artist docs ever).

    Also, if the family or partners are reading this, you really should be proud of this doc's 'completeness'. I was a huge Nirvana fan as teen in the early 90's, but, apparently, I didn't even know who Kurt was. This doc really showed the human side of his genius, I had always only seen him as a god, idol, and genius. It was comforting to understand Kurt 'kept it real' ' so real', and not just some snobby fake Rockstar.    … Expand
  2. DakotaFred
    May 31, 2015
    5
    It is an interesting look inside the short life of KC... but with the horrible upbringing, heroin abuse and depression, ultimately leading to his final days disappearing act and (apparent) suicide (apart from text at the very end completely left out), make it a mediocre watch at best. I mean, calling him a genius is a bit of stretch anyway IMO. Put anyone into a room with a pen paperIt is an interesting look inside the short life of KC... but with the horrible upbringing, heroin abuse and depression, ultimately leading to his final days disappearing act and (apparent) suicide (apart from text at the very end completely left out), make it a mediocre watch at best. I mean, calling him a genius is a bit of stretch anyway IMO. Put anyone into a room with a pen paper guitar mic and tape recorder, oh and of course an endless supply of drugs, the results would most likely be similarly bizarre. Nonetheless, he wrote a few good songs (why Dave Grohl was also completely left out is a mystery to me). In the end, KC was a coward for killing himself. If he didnt kill himself, then they had even more reason to focus more on his final days and the investigation (or lack of) that followed. Maybe they are saving that little bit of information for part deux ;)… Expand
  3. huntiw396
    May 23, 2015
    2
    Heroin addiction is a very serious problem in this country, Mainly because of the war in Afghanistan. That is the legacy of George Bush;s war. a country mired in a huge vat of Heroin. I do not think junkies are people worthy of praise in any way. They are just ruined junkies.
  4. frankrog29
    Jul 13, 2016
    4
    This movie offers some facts about Kurt Cobain's life but it certainly doesn't attempt to be an authoritative documentary on the subject. Instead, the movie attempts to convey the late Mr. Cobain's mental state with animated segments set to his music and spoken-word recordings. As a result, the film mostly feels like a 2-hour-long Nirvana music video, and it mostly just made me feelThis movie offers some facts about Kurt Cobain's life but it certainly doesn't attempt to be an authoritative documentary on the subject. Instead, the movie attempts to convey the late Mr. Cobain's mental state with animated segments set to his music and spoken-word recordings. As a result, the film mostly feels like a 2-hour-long Nirvana music video, and it mostly just made me feel depressed. This movie is probably only for diehard Nirvana fans, and even some of them might find it too abstract and not sufficiently informative.… Expand
  5. codyeff
    May 20, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A magnificently well done documentary on Kurt Cobain's life. The integration of animation into the story provided a nice added element. This documentary really put some substance to an influential grunge band that led a very interesting scene. The inclusion of Nirvana songs during the documentary are very well placed, I found myself jamming out while watching it.

    Side note, the decline we see in Kurt throughout the latter half of the documentary is sad to watch. I felt helpless as I watched his spiral downward.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Best TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    May 4, 2015
    100
    The filmmaking always crackles. Every song choice, every intimate home movie, every personal moment--they have been carefully chosen from eight years of research for maximum impact.
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  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: A.A. Dowd
    May 4, 2015
    91
    Montage understands Cobain as an icon, but also as the mixed-up kid who got too famous too fast, and it seems content revealing, rather than reconciling, his contradictions.
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  3. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    May 4, 2015
    100
    [Montage of Heck is] shattering, unpredictable and tells you more about Cobain than any previous film.
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