The Velvet Underground was influential as a band and an art project. This doc by director Todd Haynes, who himself has defied traditional expectations, has echoed their imaginative roots. Most of this film features split screens with montage layers of experimental film and photos. There are interviews to help stitch together a timeline of the band’s development. Frustratingly, they’re only identified by name, with no explanation of their relationship to the band (until a barrage of names during the credits). The history of the group is chronicled, but with NO performance videos (although there are some audio clips). As a matter of fact the only song that’s shown being sung is saved for the very end. Fans of the band will appreciate this poetic cinematic experience, which defies traditional doc tropes and mirrors the band’s ethos. 
(3 / 5)
