227. Liam Gallagher - As It Was; movie review

LIAM GALLAGHER - AS IT WAS
Cert 15

85 mins
BBFC advice: Contains very strong language, drug references

So, this is Liam Gallagher as he wants to be seen - the innocent one in Britain's most famous brotherly row, the jovial father of children brought up by other mothers and the singer who has a supportive team ethic.
Oh, and he loves his mum more than Noel.
And what about the other stuff? For instance, ignoring one daughter until she was an adult and the non-recognition of another who does not appear in this movie?
Or the being such an egotistical pain in the backside that nobody could work with him?
Gavin Fitzgerald and Charlie Lightening's biopic follows Gallagher over the past few years, from the break-up of Oasis, through the car crash of Beady Eye to his rejuvenation as a solo star.

It includes footage from his performance at Glastonbury in 2017 which we witnessed live. We hadn't realised at the time how important the crowd reaction was to him but he did seem more mellow than in his Oasis years.
Perhaps he has changed. Certainly, he is at pains to emphasise the importance of family over his own ego and there are some admissions of previous bad behaviour which he claims he has now eradicated.
It even includes infamous no-shows at gigs, evidencing the reasons for what seemed to be a letdown to his fans.
As It Was follows him on tour, recording new songs and in some private moments with his partner Debbie, his children, relatives and friends.
There are contributions from those closest, including his brother Paul who has been at his side throughout the tumult of Oasis, the dismay of Beady Eye and the renaissance of Liam as a solo artist.
He has been around to pick up Liam when he thought all was lost and shared the return to glory.
If you are an Oasis fan, it is worth watching but some may find it a bit heavy on PR.

Reasons to watch: If you are a Liam Gallagher fan
Reasons to avoid: If you want an independent view of him

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? Noel gave Liam the choice of whether he wanted to sing lead on ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ or ‘Wonderwall’. He chose the latter.

The final word. Charlie Lightening: "At the beginning it can be intimidating… because he’s ‘Liam Gallagher’. But getting to know him in the film, he’s not; he’s just a really nice guy. It’s all in the film; you see how he is and what he’s like. It was just nice to get to know him and see that side of him." Entertainment Focus

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