Blurry take on singer’s life leaves unanswered questions
Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry (R13, 140 mins) Directed by R J Cutler Reviewed by James Croot ★★★
It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. There’s a moment in this intimate look at this generation’s most critically acclaimed, fancherished and controversial singer which is almost an exact replica of a scene from In Bed With Madonna, a documentary now, incredibly, 30 years old.
Back then we saw ‘‘the Material Girl’’ cringe as actor Kevin Costner declared her Blonde Ambition tour performance ‘‘neat’’.
Here, it’s the Bad Guy singer looking perplexed as Katy Perry offers her advice, while her partner Orlando Bloom declares himself to be a ‘‘massive fan’’. When brother
Finneas reveals that he was the star of the Pirates of Caribbean movies, the chart-topping star born Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell seems genuinely flabbergasted. ‘‘I just thought he was some dude Katy Perry had met.’’
While it’s one of many intriguing moments captured by R J Cutler (whose previous subjects have included Dick Cheney, John Belushi and Vogue magazine), The World’s A Little Blurry ultimately feels a little overlong and, ironically given the title, somewhat unfocused.
Yes, there’s a terrific natural arc in charting Eilish’s journey from barely-teenage unknown online sensation to sweeping last year’s Grammys with her debut album (while still only 18), but although the access and candour is certainly impressive and the insight into her and Finneas’ songwriting process is fascinating (as is the fact she hates it), it all leaves you with just as many questions as answers. Why has Eilish never stepped foot in a classroom? What do (or rather did) her parents do for a living? What pushed her towards so many dark thoughts when she has such a seemingly happy home life? There’s at least some clues to the latter when her mother Maggie muses over the reason her daughter’s music has connected with so many. ‘‘There’s an opioid epidemic, we’re facing the destruction of the planet and we’re in the midst of a terrifying political climate – it’s a terrible time to be a teen.’’
For Eilish’s part, it’s clear to see how much she cares about her fanbase (witness footage of her parting a crowd at a 2018 Salt Lake City concert to allow a fallen audience member to receive medical attention), but also how acutely aware she is of her image – and the need to protect it.
When a post-concert meet-andgreet goes awry, Eilish is more worried about any negative publicity hitting social media than the feelings of those facing her wrath in the moment. And, as she stresses about how it all might play out, it’s her parents who take ownership of the debacle.
That’s one of many examples of Eilish getting her way, whether it’s wishing for a dream car, expressing a desire to direct her own music videos (after being lessthan-impressed with the last helmer’s efforts) or desperately hoping to meet her idol and inspiration – Justin Bieber.
Indeed, one of the most charming threads of Blurry is her obsession with the Canadian pop star, something that culminates in a heartwarming moment at Coachella and thoughtful messages on her big day at the Grammys.
But for all Eilish’s battles with medical issues (she was a talented dancer until injury forced her to look at other options), wrestling with past demons and genuine concerns that ‘‘the internet’s going to be mean’’ about whatever she tries next, the documentary’s breakout star is actually Finneas.
While he’s often a peripheral figure to all the madness and hype, it’s clear he is a major part of Eilish’s success, at least based on the evidence here.
It’s he who seemingly drags her through the production process, offering advice on each song, but always letting her be in charge of her own performance.
That we barely get to hear from him feels like a missed opportunity which would have given Blurry a little more edge and sharpness.
Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry is now screening in select cinemas and available to stream on Apple TV+.