Movie Guys: ‘Kurt and Courtney’ asks troubling questions about the death of Cobain

Friday, May 8, 1998 | 8:59 a.m.

* Grades: Jeff, B; Dave, B+.

* Director: Nick Broomfield.

* Rated: No rating, but contains adult themes, profanity and brief nudity.

* Running time: 95 minutes.

* Playing at: ACT III Sunset Station.

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Synopsis: A hard-hitting documentary about the life and death of rock idol Kurt Cobain, lead singer for the music group Nirvana, which poses questions about the bizarre circumstances surrounding his tragic suicide.

Dave: Last month marked the fourth anniversary of the death of rock icon Kurt Cobain, lead singer and songwriter for the influential alternative band, Nirvana. Since the tragic incident, much controversy has surrounded his life and apparent suicide. Conspiracy theories began to surface soon after his death, involving his rocker/ actress wife, Courtney Love (frontwoman for the band Hole and Golden Globe nominee for "The People vs. Larry Flynt").

Now, British documentarian Nick Broomfield (best known for 1996's "Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam") has taken on an unusual story that has garnered quite a bit of attention since the film's debut screening was pulled from this year's Sundance Film Festival, due to the threats by Love's Hollywood lawyers.

Jeff: Broomfield is looking for answers to questions that surfaced during his search for the truth. And the search is a eerie trip into the rock 'n' roll subculture -- a world filled with drugs, shattered dreams and scathing personal attacks on character and reputations. It took a lot of courage for Broomfield to explore a controversial topic -- the circumstances surrounding the death of a modern-day messiah of sorts -- of which most parties involved would rather remain mythical, shrouded by partial truths and innuendo.

I admired Nirvana, but I wasn't a die-hard fan like you, Dave, but I have to admit that my curiosity was aroused by the rumors and mystery of Cobain being murdered. Broomfield's investigation, with his gritty, guerrilla-style filmmaking, takes you on a trip you'll never forget.

Dave: I've followed the band and the grunge scene since it made its impact on the music industry back in the early '90s, and Cobain was the reluctant poster child of that generation. His death shocked millions, including myself, but not once did I ever buy into the possibilities that he was murdered -- especially by Love. Even Broomfield narrates his notion of disbelief in the theories, and how he originally "did not set out to attack Love." The film, however, exposes a dark, manipulative, cutthroat side of Courtney, in addition to several motives brought to light by witnesses who were close to the couple, so that you can't help but consider the possibility behind the theory.

Jeff: The roster of those giving testimony that point to murder are endless: Tom Grant, a private investigator hired by Love; a former nanny for Cobain and Love; and even Love's own estranged father, Hank Harrison. All are convinced that Love was behind the death of Cobain. El Douche, the lead singer for the sexist rock group The Mentors, makes the shocking statement that Love offered him $50,000 to "whack" Cobain, and tells his story with no remorse.

This makes for an interesting film, but hardly a list of truths -- every one of them has a credibility problem. Not one would make it past a first-year law student, who would have them discredited during their first minute on the witness stand. The nanny for Cobain and Love looked strung-out during her testimony in the basement of some flophouse. Yeah, she's telling the truth! As with all of the witnesses, this is their five minutes of fame and they offer no facts or proof of their accusations. Love is portrayed as a black widow, snaring Cobain in her web, sucking the artistic life out of him, discarding him and seizing his wealth to further her own career. No wonder she wanted this movie banned. The truth is in there somewhere -- Broomfield keeps looking.

Dave: His search isn't easy. Half-way through production, funding stops. Members of his crew flake-out under serious confrontations with Love, and as Jeff described, his sources are not the most credible people. In one scene, reminiscent of Michael Moore's "Roger & Me," Bloomfield confronts Love at an ACLU dinner celebrating the First Amendment, where she is a celebrity speaker. On stage, he draws attention to Love's hypocritical tactics against journalism before he is forced off.

Unfortunately, there are no other scenes that take you to that edge. What seems to be a revealing look into a very curious topic is really an amusing piece that leaves questions unanswered -- but through no fault of Bloomfield, who proves his worth as a pure documentarian.

MOVIE BUZZ

* Flintstones to visit 'Rock Vegas': The next movie featuring America's favorite Stone Age family has been announced: "The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas." The film will be a prequel, with younger actors in the roles of Fred, Barney, Wilma and Betty than starred in the first "Flintstones" movie. For that reason, there are unconfirmed rumors that Universal may cast Drew Carey as Fred instead of the previous film's star, John Goodman. Also, the design of the film will be slightly different: Rather than the gray, rock houses of the film and the cartoon, "Rock Vegas" homes will be made of glittering gemstones. Our suggestion? Shoot the film at The Reserve hotel-casino -- it's the perfect place!

* Sony bites 'Vampires':

It's been finished for months and was released in several countries to critical acclaim, but "John Carpenter's Vampires" hasn't been seen here in the U.S -- until now. Sony Pictures Entertainment has picked up U.S. distribution rights for the film, directed by Horror-meister Carpenter ("Halloween," "The Thing"). It stars James Woods and Daniel Baldwin as the leaders of a vampire-slaying team that uncovers a den of bloodsuckers led by a master vampire, who challenges the hunters to a deadly battle. No release date has been set.

* 'The secret word is ...': Groucho Marx will be shuffling back to the silver screen in a biographical film from the writing duo behind "The People vs. Larry Flynt." Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski are setting up a project about the life and times of the zany Marx Brother. The duo is currently working on the Andy Kaufman bio-movie "Man on the Moon," starring Jim Carrey.

NAME THAT FLICK

"I'm not an actor, I'm a movie star!" Will Cavanaugh is our lucky winner this week. He was the first to correctly identify the quote spoken by Peter O'Toole as Lynn Swan in the comedy classic "My Favorite Year." Way to go, Will -- now would you just forget about doing the Boss Hijack sketch?

Now, for this week's quote -- Who said this and in what film: "I'm standing here in pieces, and you're having delusions of grandeur." Does it sound familiar? If you think you know it, call The Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026 or e-mail us at movieguys5@aol.com (work into a lather, rinse and repeat). Be sure to spell your name and leave your daytime phone number, and if you're the first correct caller/e-mailer, we will print your name here in this column -- now recommended by four out of five doctors for patients who watch movies -- for the entire valley to read.

Next week, be sure to read The Movie Guys' preview of the biggest and best movies to catch this summer.

THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears every Friday in the SUN (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Scope magazine and watch their reviews every Friday on Channel 3's 11 p.m. newscast. Plus, check them out online at: www.lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies.

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