Moby is one of the most elusive artists of his generation. Of course, hundreds of millions of him know him from his most successful endeavor, the smash release that is Play. Now, he has turned the camera on himself with a documentary that is simply entitled, Moby Doc.
It’s not a traditional documentary by any stretch of the imagination. Then again, its subject is not your usual artist/musician/creative force of nature. He reports on his website (about the film) that, “In addition to creating reprise over the last 4 years I’ve also been working on Moby Doc, a unique and idiosyncratic film about my life, my activism, and my music.”
On his website, he says of the film, “One of the goals in making Moby Doc was to try and make an honest and unconventional music documentary unlike any other music documentary and, presumptuously, I think we succeeded.”
In that vein, yes, this feature film achieves its mission and honestly, does so much more. Then again, Moby has always been about much more than music. His animal rights activism is divine inspiration and Moby’s ability to unite people through his music also drives his musical creativity—and there is plenty of that on display to keep those toes a-tappin’.
In one sense, Moby Doc has moments of traditional documentary filmmaking. There’s an introduction, an informative history of its subject, legions of photographs, and video of the early days to further enhance the narrative. But then again, this is Moby we’re talking about. So, prepare for the animation that he created, lots of self-reflection, and a constant explorer-type fascination with purpose. What is his and it will also make you look in the mirror and wonder, “what is mine?”
Fans get a clearer picture of who Moby is and what he is about with the Doc. In fact, a lot of Good Trouble can come from the doc that bears his moniker—to quote Representative John Lewis, who recently passed away. The singer/techno king is extremely active in the vegan community and has stood up for animal rights in a manner that few in his field can match.
There are a few sections in the film where either Moby and/or a scientist of some sort is explaining the weight of the footprint we leave upon the Earth from simply eating anything that comes from a cow, for example. It is done in a way that is supposed to enlighten while it entertains, and Moby Doc does that in spades. It doesn’t hit you over the head with his “politics” or veganism. It is achieved in such a way that is subtle. The information is there, what we the viewer does with it is completely up to us.
If you’re seeking a doc about an artist that is one of your faves, and your desire is discovering more on how Moby honed his sound and better yet, came up with his 1999 smash Play, Moby Doc is for you. Others will seek to witness a celebrity wield his power to make real change in the world and with Moby Doc, that too will be accomplished.
It’s an intriguing premise. It’s the rare documentary that the viewer will get what is put in. Wanting to change the world and desiring an inspiration to rally behind? Moby Doc is for you. What else is gleaned from Doc is how the artist’s career has been one big mirror to oneself. You literally get what you put in.
Promise… there will be some soul searching upon completion and best to witness the Moby Doc with a pal or family. There are lots to discuss. Put it this way, Moby is a curious fellow. One can see him segueing into film soundtracks after the experience of putting together the Moby Doc. His music has always been inspiring narrative-wise for this writer. I have written many a screenplay with Moby pumping in the headphones.
Moby Doc also does a stunning job of painting the picture of the pinnacle of success. Money, women… you name it when Moby was at the height of his musical influence and the sense that it is fleeting comes through like a locomotive. What one is left with is also a topic of the film. Much like the old saying about being born alone and dying alone, one can have the number one album in the world, and it won’t fix what’s wrong with you on the inside. It seems like a pretty obvious concept, but as it is handling in Moby’s documentary, it is especially morose.
Something that always strikes me about these music documentaries is the amount of footage someone like Moby has from the early 90s, while he was a lost 20-something playing in a punk band. Had the same reaction during The Beastie Boys Story. Someone’s forward-thinking all those years ago is to our benefit. Here we not only get to see Moby with hair—haha—but also when he was doing his most experimental work as a musician/artist. Envelopes were being pushed and thanks to him, the needle in music moved a bit with his contribution to the musical landscape.
Now, getting specific about film quality, overall, this is one disjointed documentary. It never gets to gather any kind of steam. Honestly, it is because it feels more like a stream of consciousness than a well-organized chronicle of an artist’s life. I actually think that is on purpose …
Moby Doc is very much a Moby production. From shot selection to style and tone, the Manhattan-based EDM artist’s handprints are all over every single frame. In a move that should surprise no one, revolutionary filmmaker David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet) is one of the “talking heads” who adds layers to what it means to be Moby. His insight, especially, is fascinating. If there is a filmmaking answer to the musical Moby, it is the filmmaking Lynch!
Grade: B-