The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

★★★

Dir: Frank Marshall UNIVERSAL PICTURES/SKY. C/ST

Sibling triumph and tragedy doc by Spielberg pal and Laurel Canyon co-exec.

Frank Marshall’s clear-eyed, sanctioned but melancholic Bee Gees biopic begins at LA’s 38,000 capacity Oakland Coliseum in 1979; from a limo emerge three Manchester-raised siblings – two twins, two bearded, one not, one vibrato, two falsetto – on the sold-out Spirits Having Flown tour. Forward to Miami 2019, where sole survivor Barry, 74, reflects “I’d rather have them all back here and have no hits at all.” Dad-managed, skiffleforged, they emigrated to Australia in 1958, returning to exploit the British invasion, doing the northern clubs to pay off taxes. The move to Miami and Saturday Night Fever’s success unlocks global potential, preceding drugs, drink, rehab and the lifestylerelated death of “fourth Gibb” Andy at 30. Marshall’s film only loses authority when wheeling on voices such as Chris Martin and Noel Gallagher.