THE FILM THAT REDEFINES GROUP THERAPY.Ā
This documentary begins with Metallica heading into the studio to make their next album, which subsequently is titled āSt. Angerā. They virtually need to be dragged there. Jason Newstead, the bassist, recently left the band and the remaining members are not at all looking forward to the work ahead. A pricey therapist, Phil Towle, has been hired to take a look at the members of Metallica and try to make them move in the same direction. The real problem? The relationship between singer/guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich.The surface is often calm but thereās a storm underneath and itās a fascinating thing to watch. In the end, weāve been part of a weird, creative process. And we realize that the band might not be where it is today without the tension.
2004-U.S. 141 min. Color. Produced and directed byĀ Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky.
Trivia: This was reportedly first intended as a miniseries for VH1.
Last word:Ā āThe therapy probably bought Metallica another 10 years, at least, and Iād like to think it also saved [my and Berlinger’s] working relationship because weāre not that different from Lars and James on a certain level. Weāre collaborators, too and it really made a huge difference.ā (Sinofsky, Movable Fest)