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John Waite - The Hard Way

This documentary isn’t your run-of-the-mill music biopic; it’s a deep dive into the life of an artist who never danced to anyone’s prescribed tune. John Waite, the man who took the stage night after night, unfurling his art like a traveling salesman peddling his wares. 

Mike J.Nichols’s film transcends the boundaries of genre, exploring universal themes of success and failure that resonate with anyone who’s dared to be an artist, struggled, triumphed, and become a part of the global tapestry.

“The Hard Way” isn’t just a catchy title; it’s a reflection of Waite’s five-decade journey, paved with hit songs like “Missing You” and “Restless Heart.” It’s also a fitting metaphor for Nichols, who faced his own challenges bringing this film to life during a global pandemic. 

The customary scenes we’d expect in a documentary were off-limits – no shots of Waite strolling down the sidewalk. Instead, Nichols had to get creative, using socially-distanced methods to capture his subject’s essence. He supplemented this with rare archival footage that showcases Waite in his prime.

Nichols reflects on the surreal nature of his latest work, which premiered electronically rather than in the traditional theater setting, thanks to the pandemic. 

“I always keep saying I think it’s impossible that it exists,” he muses, highlighting the disconnect of not experiencing the film with an audience. “Isn’t that strange?”

Taking on the Waite project came with its own set of obstacles, forcing Nichols to rethink his approach. His role as director, writer, and co-producer (alongside Scott Wright) meant he needed to chart a unique path. 

Unable to follow Waite on tour, as concerts had become a rarity, Nichols injected an arthouse quality into the film. The absence of vérité-style footage was felt, but it became an integral part of the narrative, mirroring the film’s very title.

Archival footage of Waite was also scarce, unlike Nichols’s previous project on Zappa, who meticulously documented his life from a young age. Waite’s modest upbringing meant cameras were a rarity in his household. Nichols elaborates, “The art, for him, is going out and playing the concert. And you play the show, ‘Thanks a lot,’ you go home, and that’s it. You don’t think about it anymore. That’s the performance.” This unique challenge meant the film had to paint a vivid portrait of an artist with no extensive archive of his past.

One intriguing example is the legendary Eddie Van Halen joining Waite on stage during the height of their careers. A moment that seems like gold for documentary footage, but alas, it’s a memory captured in audio rather than video. Nichols’s film meticulously pieces together these fragmented memories from Waite’s career, stitching them into a captivating tapestry.

“John Waite — The Hard Way” is a testament to resilience, both in the life of the artist it portrays and the filmmaker who weaves this compelling narrative. It’s not just a documentary; it’s a journey through the labyrinthine corridors of rock ‘n’ roll, guided by Mike J. Nichols’s deft storytelling.

Szul