SummaryWith unfettered access to the Zappa family trust and all archival footage, Zappa explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time. Alex Winter’s assembly features appearances by Frank’s widow Gail Zappa and several of Frank’s musical collaborators including Mike Keneally, ... Read More
Directed By:Alex Winter
Zappa
Metascore
Generally Favorable
76
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
76
100% Positive
16 Reviews
16 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Nov 27, 2020
88
I found the film to be an engrossing look at Zappa and his legacy that nevertheless avoids the mere hagiography that films of this sort run the risk of embracing when not handled properly.
Feb 21, 2021
80
Key to the success of the film is the editing, a pinballing assault of free association, claymation and gleeful profanity, which goes some way towards recreating what it must have been like to spend time inside Zappa’s head.
Feb 19, 2021
80
There’s no denying Zappa’s personal charisma and devotion to his cause, nor his articulacy in its service. Winter has created a fascinating watch.
Nov 23, 2020
80
It’s a multimedia immersion, filled with rare footage of Zappa from his teenage years on and assembled with the loving dexterity we’ve come to expect from Alex Winter as a filmmaker.
Nov 23, 2020
75
Zappa gives its subject his well-earned due within the rock firmament. But even more valuable, Winter gives Zappa pride of place among the most important composers of the 20th century, sharing some extraordinary performances of his little-known classical work.
Nov 27, 2020
70
It’s a rare documentary portrait that doesn’t oversell its subject.
Nov 27, 2020
67
Alas, the trouble with trying to capture a mercurial artist on such a legible canvas is that the attempt — no matter how sincere and self-aware it might be — can only do justice to its subject through its failure to see them clearly.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.4
80% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
20% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
Jul 1, 2021
9
I liked this movie. It had a lot of information that I didn't know before. It wasn't just about his music and his prolific orchestrating, but his philosophy. It starts a little slow, but gains speed as it goes along. Worth a watch!
Feb 20, 2021
8
If you don’t know much about Frank Zappa, or are not yet a fan, you’ll learn quite a lot about who this guy is and what he stood for. Don’t worry about getting pulled into some bizarre stage play with incoherent ramblings and fake music. This isn’t that Zappa film. You might actually enjoy this, seeing the life of someone who is undeniably a rock legend and a unique cultural phenomenon. Just understand that Frank Zappa went to every length possible to be strictly uncommercial, though he clearly wanted to be popular by being outrageous and true to himself. If you’re a Zappa fan you’ll enjoy this documentary for its condensed overview of Frank’s career. Don’t expect to be blown away by insights or rare footage. In some ways it jumps parts of his career in the 70’s and early 80s, which means it skips highlights and discussions of some of his major albums, focusing most on perspective of him as a man and a musician/composer, and the eventual political stint he seemingly stumbled into. However, any other Zappa feature I’ve seen before this seems twice as long and half as good. It’s nice to see a well made, respectable piece on who the man behind the music was.
Production Company:
- Trouper Productions
- Zipper Bros Films
Release Date:Nov 27, 2020
Duration:2 h 9 m
Awards
Millennium Docs Against Gravity
• 2 Nominations
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards
• 1 Nomination
Cinema Audio Society, USA
• 1 Nomination
