IR Film Review: BELUSHI [Showtime]

The essence of myth sometimes cannot be reflected. Sometimes it is lost in the ether. Knowing the essence of what goes on in someone's head especially when a level of fame is achieved comes down to the individual. While many have heard bits and different tellings of John Belushi's story over the years, it really comes down to psychology, dependence, childhood and an essence of fate in his own head and the chaos swirling around him and the expectation for him that came with it. This documentary, which takes its basis from Tanner Colby's 2005 book he did with Judith Belushi Piasano (John's widow) seems like the riigt amount of time to wait. It has been nearly 40 years since his death, While there are some new insights, it is the concern you hear in the voices of many (maybe since some of the interviews were done by Judy who obvious was there for a lot of the life John lived) that really comes through. The tenor in Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis' voice speaks volumes. Jim Belushi is heard in the early childhood elements indicating that he also wasn't connected as intimately with his brother's struggles (or it didn't angle into this particular narrative). Granted it is great all of the footage is cleared but what is really unique is the animation that is done (by Robert Valley who worked on "Aeon Flux" and did 'Tron Uprising"). It really puts some of the sequences especially from Belushi's childhood and places like the "Blues Bar" in NYC into a specific visual context when it would not have really been fully possible with photos or other media. This animation really helps the movie come alive. In all reality it would have been even more welcome if there was more towards the end. There is one interview that probably wasn't done with Tanner or Judy that might have been done in a dressing room. Th animation captures it in a very organic way. it sounds like Belushi's voice (though Bill Hader does do his voice a other times so it is up in the air). The other aspect which is recreated, probably with the approval of Judith, was the use of his personal letters. This documentary does not feel like a sensational grab. It does give a better peek into the man from those around him but the path of an addict or fate is always fraught. It is an interesting story but perhaps lost on the younger generation. The aspect of that the pendulum for Belushi kept swinging back and forth with bouts of mania and isolation. Some of the more interesting revelations come from Carrie Fisher in her no nonsense tone but likely since she understood him more than most. The paths of all things especially in the final days shows things came to a head but that timing was a distinct factor. You can hear that Judith felt it and so did Aykroyd. The specific inclusion of Smokey, who kept a watch over Belushi for a time to keep him on track but leaves feeling he is OK is disputed by Fisher. It shows that perspective is a fickle thing but not always with all the answers. That is one thing that "Belushi" allows and Director RJ Butler is good at: keeping the archival moving while balancing the music and animation. All this while not moving even towards talking heads which has become the durge of documentaries. It is about experiencing a certain life. The fact that the personal letters and photos are included gives "Belushi" that resilience but also gives the audience a bit of the sense of experience of what Belushi aspired too...and also the demons that perhaps followed him. A

By Tim Wassberg