Patti Smith's life story is a sprawling, dreamlike journey that spans decades and continents - a true odyssey of art, activism, and self-discovery. At its core, this documentary, "Dream of Life," is an intimate portrait of the 61-year-old rock legend, Patti Smith, who has always defied categorization and convention.
From her rural New Jersey roots to her emergence as a poet and musician in 1970s New York City, Smith's life has been marked by a series of bold choices and innovative collaborations. Her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe was particularly pivotal, one that blurred the lines between artist and muse, friend and partner.
The film offers a chronological voyage through Smith's life, featuring concert footage from her 2005 London performance of "Horses," as well as interviews and scenes shot in various locations around the world. But it's not always clear where Smith is or what she's doing - a disorienting whirlwind that captures the passage of time and the fluidity of her creative journey.
One notable absence from the film is its treatment of Smith's activist career, which has been an important aspect of her recent life. Her campaign for Ralph Nader in 2000 is barely mentioned, and it's clear that Sebring may have deliberately avoided this aspect of her story to keep the focus on her artistic pursuits.
Smith's legacy as a feminist trailblazer is undeniable - she was one of the first women to rock with big egos and sexual adventures, and her albums "Horses" and "Radio Ethiopia" remain among the rare hybrids of rock and poetry. Yet, despite being at the center of some of the most iconic moments in 1970s counterculture, few details from this era are visible in the film, except through reference and inference.
One thing is certain: Patti Smith has always been a true original - an inventor and precursor of punk, who couldn't be contained by any movement or ethos. Her greatest triumph was not being a rock revolutionary, but living life on her own terms, making it up as she went along in the great tradition of all those dead white male artists she worshiped.
Ultimately, "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" is an intermittently haunting and beautiful meditation on aging and mortality - a testament to the enduring power of art and creativity. While it may not tell everyone about Patti Smith's journey, it's clear that her life has been one of bold experimentation and joyful self-expression. As she herself would say, "peace, peace! he is not dead, he doth not sleep - he hath awakened from the dream of life."
From her rural New Jersey roots to her emergence as a poet and musician in 1970s New York City, Smith's life has been marked by a series of bold choices and innovative collaborations. Her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe was particularly pivotal, one that blurred the lines between artist and muse, friend and partner.
The film offers a chronological voyage through Smith's life, featuring concert footage from her 2005 London performance of "Horses," as well as interviews and scenes shot in various locations around the world. But it's not always clear where Smith is or what she's doing - a disorienting whirlwind that captures the passage of time and the fluidity of her creative journey.
One notable absence from the film is its treatment of Smith's activist career, which has been an important aspect of her recent life. Her campaign for Ralph Nader in 2000 is barely mentioned, and it's clear that Sebring may have deliberately avoided this aspect of her story to keep the focus on her artistic pursuits.
Smith's legacy as a feminist trailblazer is undeniable - she was one of the first women to rock with big egos and sexual adventures, and her albums "Horses" and "Radio Ethiopia" remain among the rare hybrids of rock and poetry. Yet, despite being at the center of some of the most iconic moments in 1970s counterculture, few details from this era are visible in the film, except through reference and inference.
One thing is certain: Patti Smith has always been a true original - an inventor and precursor of punk, who couldn't be contained by any movement or ethos. Her greatest triumph was not being a rock revolutionary, but living life on her own terms, making it up as she went along in the great tradition of all those dead white male artists she worshiped.
Ultimately, "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" is an intermittently haunting and beautiful meditation on aging and mortality - a testament to the enduring power of art and creativity. While it may not tell everyone about Patti Smith's journey, it's clear that her life has been one of bold experimentation and joyful self-expression. As she herself would say, "peace, peace! he is not dead, he doth not sleep - he hath awakened from the dream of life."
i mean patti smith's story is literally the epitome of being a true original she's like a force of nature 
and i love how it highlights her relationship with robert mapplethorpe - so iconic 
but i do wish they'd included more about her activist career, especially her campaign for ralph nader in 2000 that stuff is just as important to her legacy 
also can we talk about how beautiful the cinematography is? it's like she's floating through time 
She's like a true icon - you can feel her passion and energy even in an old interview 
I wish more films did justice to her activist work - it's like they're skipping over part of her amazing story. But at the same time, I think she would've been super proud of how "Dream of Life" showcases her art & creative journey 
It's so inspiring to see someone who's never played by the rules & always stayed true to themselves - we could all learn a thing or two from Patti Smith 
. Like, she was a total trailblazer for women in music and politics, but her campaign for Ralph Nader in 2000 barely gets a mention? It feels like they're trying to keep the focus on her art, which is cool and all, but let's not forget about her impact on social justice 
. But what really gets me is how she managed to stay true to herself and live life on her own terms – that's some next-level inspiration right there 
i mean i already knew she was a legend but wow this film just cements it 
her art and activism are truly inspiring and it's crazy how much she's been able to live life on her own terms for so long 
. I'm kinda bummed they didn't delve deeper into her activist career, though - she's definitely made an impact beyond the music world 
. All in all, though, "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" is like a cinematic love letter to this incredible woman and her artistry 
. She's proof that you can live life on your own terms and still make a lasting mark 
.