Spirits in the Forest - the Depeche Mode fan documentary/live performance movie mash-up went into theaters worldwide on Thursday, November 21, 2019, giving viewers a glimpse into the lives of 6 fans before they travel to Berlin to watch the final show of the band's Global Spirit tour in 2018.
I didn't really read many reviews prior to watching the movie. I like to go into movies with an open mind, not swayed by someone's opinion. I did, however, know the basic concept of the film. In reading other reviews of the movie, though, it seems there was some confusion about the main focus.
The focus was the fans, not the band. It seems, for some, that the band just wasn't featured enough - that there should have been more footage of them backstage, prepping for the show, meeting the fans.
We've had that before - it's called 101. But, again, this wasn't about the band. If anything, the band were the background music, the ties that bind if you will. Any interaction that these 6 fans had with the band backstage should stay between those fans and the band. This was their moment, not ours. And I'm ok with not seeing it.
I thought the fan segments were well done. I think my only criticism would be that I'd have liked to have seen and heard even more about them. But we got what we got and unless a DVD with further footage is released, we'll just have to be happy with what we got. And what we got was a look into the struggles of life, the realities of the worlds we live in, the ups and downs, the good and bad, and the way the music of Depeche Mode has made an impact in each of these ways. You may not have battled cancer, gone through divorce, seen your kids move away, suffered a major injury, lived under a communist regime, struggled with your sexuality, or any of the other stories we heard, but chances are you know someone who has. Or you have your own story that was impacted by the music of Depeche Mode. What I'm trying to say is, in someway, you can relate - you can relate to the impact the music, the band, and it's fans have had on your life.
(This also wasn't a competition over who is the bigger fan, has been a fan the longest, or who has the biggest collection. It was just real people with real stories about a real band. That's all.)
Let's talk about the live performance parts.
Seeing Depeche Mode live is almost like a religious experience. There is a sensation that takes over, that fills you with joy and hope. When you're in the middle of the wheat wave or reaching out and touching faith, you are one with the crowd. Even on screen, watching the band perform and interact with the audience is a sight to behold. This one was no different. The band was electric. The way the songs chosen were woven into the fabric of the stories being told was well done. Honestly, we got more live parts than I was expecting, so that was a pleasant surprise.
Being a fan for the past 35 years, I'm sure it may seem I'm biased, so of course I'd love the movie. But let me give you another quick perspective:
My husband is, essentially, a non-fan. He's had 27+ years of hearing the music, hearing my stories, hearing my friend's stories. He's grown to like some of the music, but he wouldn't consider himself a true fan. Yet, he loved the movie. He loved hearing the stories and how much the music really does hit so many of us in similar ways.
Overall, I'd give this movie two thumbs up, two snaps and a twist, 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Now, go take a ride with your best friend and have a black celebration. And Mode On.
