Watch New York Doll

New York Doll is a fascinating documentary that takes a look at the life of Arthur "Killer" Kane, the bassist of the legendary proto-punk band, the New York Dolls. The film chronicles the unlikely events that lead to Kane's comeback to the music scene after years of obscurity and addiction. The story starts with Kane's early life in the suburbs of New York City, where he discovers his love for music and forms a band with high school friends. This eventually leads him to the New York Dolls, a pioneering band that fused rock and roll, glam, and punk in the early '70s. The New York Dolls were influential in shaping the sounds of punk and metal, and their outrageous style and explosive live shows made them a cult favorite among fans and other musicians alike.

However, despite the Dolls' critical acclaim and underground fame, the band struggled to find commercial success, and their popularity rapidly declined. After a few years of touring and recording, the New York Dolls disbanded in 1977. Kane, along with most of his bandmates, fell into obscurity, struggling with addiction and depression.

The documentary then takes a look at Kane's life after the Dolls. He worked odd jobs, battled alcoholism, and even became a Mormon, which drastically changed his life. It was during this time that Kane's fortunes changed, thanks to an unlikely phone call from Morrissey, the lead singer of the Smiths.

Morrissey, an avid New York Dolls fan, was planning a reunion show in London and wanted Kane to be a part of it. The offer was unexpected and overwhelming to Kane, who felt like his life had become a dead end. The prospect of reuniting with his former bandmates and playing in front of thousands of fans was too tempting to refuse.

The documentary follows Kane's journey to the reunion show, which was to be at the Meltdown Festival in London. Director Greg Whiteley shows us the highs and lows of Kane's journey, from his initial excitement and rehearsals with the band to his struggles with his addiction and homesickness.

Whiteley also interviews Kane's former bandmates, David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain, who offer their reflections on their time with the New York Dolls and their relationship with Kane. The interviews are touching and insightful, as they offer a glimpse into the dynamic of a band that changed the course of rock and roll history.

The reunion show itself is the highlight of the documentary. Kane's joy and excitement at being back on stage with his old friends are palpable, and the energy of the crowd is infectious. The documentary captures the raw power and spirit of the New York Dolls, and their influence on music is undeniable.

Overall, New York Doll is a moving documentary that offers a portrait of a man who persevered through addiction and personal struggles to find redemption through music. It's a tribute to the enduring legacy of the New York Dolls and their contribution to modern music. The film is a must-see for any music fan, but especially for those who love punk rock and its roots.

New York Doll is a 2004 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 72.