Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out (2006) Reviews

• Great documentary for Police fans

  jeff-12322006-01-26

  I saw the film at what I think was the third of three screenings at the Sundance Film Festival Tuesday night. I had modest expectations -- that were exceeded. The film's clearly not a glossy documentary, but it's certainly a cut above watching someone else's home movies. Copeland did a fine job of making the viewer feel included in the inner circle and created a fascinating document of a band's rise in popularity. Everyone Stares is surprisingly poignant: you see the early camaraderie and friendship strain under the pressures of success and increased commercial expectations. Some reviewers have commented negatively on the story stopping before Synchronicity. I, on the other hand, think the core pieces of the story were told without embracing the final album (which, I'll add, is my least favorite of the five). The soundtrack was inventive and enjoyable: Copeland deconstructed and remixed Police tracks, providing dubbed-out, looped versions that I really enjoyed both as film music and on its own. From a music archivist point of view, it's unique and fascinating how Copeland managed to document as much as he did. Unlike a contrived "making of" video, this footage feels intimate and natural. Here's how I'd sum this up: if you're predisposed to like The Police in the first place, you'll likely enjoy this movie. If not, well, there are other documentaries that probably relate to things you're interested in.

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• Great inside out look at the rise and rise of a seminal band

  nscoggins2006-01-23

  Just got back from seeing this at Sundance, and I have to say (as an unabashed Police fan) that this is as great a perspective as you will get of a band's eye view of their world. From the initial chaos of life on the road, to the passion of those fans for whom your world is theirs, to the eventual strange, quiet normalcy of touring, the film is a unique postcard to a time when The Police were truly the world's biggest band. What the film lacks in narrative conflict, it more than makes up for in its candid perspectives on the dynamics between the Police -- Andy Summers in particular is a hoot, and it's only a shame that Sting's tortured genius couldn't find more of a release in front of Stewart's camera. No "warts and all" view of the band this, rather (as appropriately titled) it is as much a documentary of the fans who made the band what they were, as it is of the band itself, and is all the better for being so.

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• Fantastic

  calabro-bt2006-09-14

  This DVD is for every die-hard Police fan. The 1st person perspective enlightens you on how the band saw their journey to stardom evolve. It was nice to see that Sting, Stewart & Andy actually got along quite well. There are some great in-studio shots of Sting & Andy working out the guitar riff for Da do do do, as well as Sting playing the bass on Secret Journey. I think the film actually peaks when the band plays the US festival. After that, the footage really dwindles. There is no Synchronicity footage at all. Perhaps the band was so big at that point that the camera was left home? I know MTV covered their tour and that was my first concert (Foxboro, MA 8/03)but still it would have been nice to see some of those behind the scenes. The music mix was sensational and I am looking forward to hear Stewart's arrangements. Great Job Stewart!

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• You'll feel like a rock star when you watch this film.

  tassoulak2006-06-01

  Stewart Copeland brings a fresh, first-person perspective to this essential music documentary about his enormously successful band The Police. Fans of the band know of the legendary battles the three band members endured throughout their career together, but this film, shows how great it was before their success consumed them. Shot in grainy 8mm film, the organic visuals complete the essence of this rock and roll time capsule, which features rare concert footage and behind-the-scenes glimpses of their rise to fame. The most unique aspect is the perspective—as a viewer you're seeing everything through the eyes of drummer Stew—so you feel as if you're absorbing the atmosphere as it progresses at a frighteningly rapid pace. For example, early in the documentary, they're asking for directions to a Best Western motel; by the end, only a few years later, they're frolicking on the French Riviera. What could have been a very sad account of how creative differences tore apart a legendary band is actually a heartwarming scrapbook of fond memories, reminding all of us of how good it once was.

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• Fans will love this

  vince_cadena2008-09-09

  This is a pretty interesting documentary, in the early 80s if you ever saw Stewart Copeland with a camera and wondered what he was doing, this is it. It's basically home movies Copeland took when he was with The Police. It's interesting hearing what he has to say and to actually see some behind the scenes. Musically it's very nice but at times the audio is weak, that's due to the fact that a good audio system wasn't available but you get to hear some great live versions of some hits.There are some really funny moments an since it is a documentary, a few times I was reminded of This is Spinal Tap, which isn't a bad thing. We get to kind of know the band members and by the end I felt this film was a pleasing experience, showing us what it's like being a member of a rock group.

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