333. The Man From Mo'Wax; movie review

THE MAN FROM MO'WAX
Cert 15
113 mins
BBFC advice: Contains strong language, drugs references

What I know about DJs and dance music could be written on the back of a box of matches - despite Philip George, who had a number two chart hit, being a member of our golf club
Therefore, the story of James Lavelle's rise and fall in the music industry was unknown to me.
Indeed, I was astonished to discover his Southbank Meltdown exhibition and concert attracted more people than David Bowie's or Elvis Costello's.
Regardless - this biopic of the life and times of the DJ/fixer is essential viewing for anyone interested in the contemporary music industry.
This is a deep delve into Lavelle's life and career and, while it reflects his success, it also highlights his failures.
Matthew Jones' film journeys through Lavelle's life chronologically from his days as a teenager who walked out of school to immerse himself in music.
He was DJing in pubs from the age of 14 and first gained a reputation for an encyclopaedic knowledge about his subject when he worked in a record shop in London.
The film then touches on his first magazine column which was called Mo'Wax and the launch of a label under the same name.
Anyone who knows of Lavelle will be aware of his huge success in the 1990s.
It was then that he signed bands by the score and became so popular that he even had his own line of clothing and children's toys.
His star ascended even further when he joined with DJ Shadow to set up Unkle whose unique music sold in its hundreds of thousands.
However, Lavelle is clearly not easy to get on with and his fall-outs since early fame have been bitter and long-lasting.
His bloody-mindedness has cost him everything - friends, family and career.
I cannot report with any authority that this is the definitive biopic of James Lavelle or even whether Jones' movie is entirely fair.
However, Lavelle has given his approval to the documentary so one presumes the latter must be so.
I note music writers have been less than glowing about The Man From Mo'Wax but couldn't help think that was because they were dismayed how Lavelle followed the wrong track in his career.
They were reflecting on the man and his music rather than the film which I think is a compelling portrait of a creative maverick.

Reasons to watch: A compelling portrait of a creative maverick
Reasons to avoid: If you don't care about the music industry

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10

Director quote - Matthew Jones: "In 2006 we first picked up a camera and initially then it was to make a tour film and it snowballed from there."

The big question - How close is genius to madness?

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