Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary

Hung up on a dream was a joy to watch because it took me back in time to when I was out in the rock ‘n’ roll world silly and free. So many wonderful memories flooded my mind as I watched the Zombies band’s journey. It was deeply touching and their resilience was mind blowing - I loved every minute of this film. I am definitely seeing it again. The director Robert Schwartzman’s vision did an amazing job with synthesizing all their history into a delicious visual experience - bringing their Odyssey to life on the big screen. I hope this movie makes it to PBS (public television), because everyone of all ages should see how life can turn out when you are “Hung Up On A Dream.”

This is a fabulous documentary about the English rock/pop band The Zombies. It's a very personal view of their long career in the music industry. It had me laughing and crying (but mostly laughing), and I found it extremely entertaining.

I am going to say it. There is something wrong with Hung Up On A Dream, The Zombies’ documentary directed by Robert Schwartzman and starring the four surviving Zombies Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Hugh Grundy and Chris White who are all friends to this day. And the thing that is wrong is that this very fine documentary does not answer the decades-old question: Why weren’t The Zombies at the height of their musical prowess, beauty and unflagging work ethic not one of the leading lights of the British Invasion? Of course, now that The Zombies are in the Valhalla of Most Influential Bands cited as influencing many important musical names from Tom Petty to Queen it’s all water under the bridge; and all’s well that ends well, as the man said. Hung Up On A Dream maps the rise (“She’s Not There” almost effortlessly hitting the Number One spot in charts in the U.S. and the U.K.), the fall (bad management; Colin Blunstone going on a job interview to sell ladies’ underthings), and The Zombies’ inevitable return sparked by the mighty “Time of the Season,” which zig-zagged them on the path to eventually regroup, release more fantastic music and win them their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, and beyond). In between there are never-before-seen pictures and film clips, stories of arson, eggs and heartbreak. What’s wonderful is that through all their adventures (the Dick Clark tours) and misadventures (the Philippines) The Zombies remained really good friends. Damn, this is one heartwarming movie not just about a rock and roll band, but about a group of friends from whom we can take inspiration. Go see it.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]