As someone who has been raised on the music my parents loved, I am no stranger to the rock band Motley Crue. Their energetic and pure rock and roll sound and look is easily recognizable, making them one of the best rock bands in history. Despite knowing their songs and faces, I was never aware of the widely controversial antics of the band, as well as the heavy partying, drugs, infidelity, and crime each bandmate committed until I watched the new biographical drama on Netflix "The Dirt."
Based on the book "The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band" by Neil Strauss, "The Dirt" chronicles the ups and downs of the band and the wild stories and behaviors that have made the Motley Crue one of the most notorious bands in music history. There is no way to really prepare yourself for the 108 minute movie, for the scenes are raw, poignant, shocking, and brutal at times; you will witness countless scenes full of drugs and the struggles each bandmate faced with their own addictions, a fatal car accident due to a night of heavy drinking, a drug overdose, and the harsh realities of fame. Despite these heavy themes, the movie somehow manages to maintain its rock and roll and amusing feel.
It seemed as if every scene tried to outdo the next, and at times I had to pause the movie in order to salvage my racing heart. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the antics depicted were embellished for dramatic purposes, but no matter the validity behind them, I am still confident in my assumptions that this band was CRAZY. The boundaries they pushed whether it be in the music industry or in pop culture are astounding and deserve recognition. If by the end of the movie you aren't impressed or left affected in some way, then at least applaud the vision these four musicians exhibited; their style was purely unique and their songs were made out of pure love for rock and roll.
The end of the movie was my favorite, for it showed real footage of the performances and shenanigans of the Motley Crue. It was a surprise to me that all of the bandmates are still alive and well considering the heavy partying they partook in for years, but it is no surprise to me that their legacy has lasted the test of time.
