End of the Century:
The Story of the Ramones
(2003)
review by Annoyed Grunt

There are two predominant types of music documentaries. They’re either a complete love letter to the band or a tell all, behind the music expose. ‘End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones” bridges the gap and becomes a tell all documentary about how The Ramones rose to greatness. It’s the story of how a lanky kid with obsessive compulsive disorder, a neighbourhood bully and a heroin addict formed a highly influential band, ended up hating each other (but still toured for 16 years) and then ended up the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I’ve racked my brain for a day and I can’t objectively review this movie. The Ramones are my favourite band this side of The Misfits, so I’d probably like just about anything they put on the screen. Hell, I even liked Rock and Roll High School, but I didn’t expect to like it this much. I saw it at the Toronto International Film Festival in the basement of a museum with the subway rumbling by every fifteen minutes. Actually, it added to the gritty, unpolished feel of the documentary and the music itself. When you add in the cost of taking the train in to town, I payed $25 to see this movie and I’d gladly do it again.

To describe the film as a labour of love wouldn’t even start to describe the years and years of work the directors put in to the film. They were able to compile interviews with just about everyone who has ever been in the band (with one glaring exception), critics, peers and other various hangers on. The interviews are insightful as Johnny Ramone tries to downplay the friction in the band, but soon has those claims refuted by his wife whop is sitting off screen. He tries to come off cold and uncaring, but every once and a while he lets a bit of emotion slip out. On the other hand, Dee Dee Ramone is open and honest, but is seems to be hopped up on goofballs. He had a history of drug abuse and eventually died of a heroin overdose, so I guess that’s to be expected. The only time he isn’t forthcoming is when discussing the song “53rd and 3rd”, which in itself is very telling. For those who don’t know, it’s about a junkie who turns gay tricks to pay for his habit, but ends up killing the John. Dee Dee wrote it and for years it has been rumoured that it was partly autobiographical. Even if it is true, it’s not nearly as embarrassing or shameful as Dee Dee’s solo rap album.

They were also able to dig up some extremely rare footage of the band’s early days back when they were playing in front of 10 people. This footage foreshadows the upcoming trouble as the band nearly comes to blows on stage as they argue about what song to play next. They make a point to mention that the early Ramones songs dealt with rather controversial subject matter with songs about sniffing glue and Nazi references. I scoffed at first, but although it may sound tame by today’s standards, but as the music blared over the speakers the pretentious critic in thr seat beside me cringed, so I guess it still works.

The title refers to their 1980 album of the same name and it’s what sent the band on a slow downward spiral. At that point The Ramones were somewhat successful but highly influential. In fact, the bands that they inspired were outselling tem by a large margin. Hoping to have a huge breakthrough album, they signed Phil Spector to produce. Phil ended up being quite the tyrant as he held them at gun point and spent 13 hours recording the opening chord of “Rock and Roll High School” over and over. Dee Dee walked out in frustration as Joey and Johnny clashed over the direction of the album. Joey wanted to evolve in to more of a pop-ish sound while Johnny wanted the classic Ramones style. Joey ended up winning, but the album didn’t do much in terms of sales. After that they were never the same.

However, there are two problems with this documentary, one if which is just a matter of bad timing. Joey Ramone died before they had a chance to interview him and his absence is definitely felt. They tried to fill the void with clips from a radio interview and quotes superimposed on screen, but it’s just not the same. The other problem is that the film is a little too rough. Sure, it wouldn’t be right to have sleek, over produced documentary about the Ramones but when the time code is still on your clips it makes the film seem almost amateurish. However, the filmmakers plan to polish the film up once they get a distribution deal, and hence the money to pay for it. Despite a few glitches, this is a must seem film for any fan of the Ramones. Non-fans might not be as enamoured, but why the hell would you go see a documentary about a band you didn’t like anyway?