Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band

Canadian documentarian Daniel Roher helms this thrilling, deeply moving film that tells the story of The Band from its primary songwriter and defacto leader Robbie Robertson’s perspective. That’s important to state, as the discord between the various members of the iconic group that all but invented the Americana genre, lasted until their deaths (Garth Hudson, the eldest, is the only other surviving member of the original lineup). Since the history is laid out by the man most responsible for forming and holding together The Band for as long as it held but also the man most responsible for all the acrimony, this is an incomplete but fascinating history of one of the most essential rock 'n roll groups of all time. The film doesn’t feel motivated by a score wanting to be settled but rather by Robertson's wistful, frustrated, arrogant, and ultimately loving memories of the folks he used to make music with and once considered his brothers. The film features amazing archival footage, and the music is even better than you remember.