A rock star finding for the Truth

Living in the Material World (Documentary, 2011)
Director:Martin Scorsese

No, this documentary has nothing to do with Madonna and her living in a material world.

Yes, we do not seem to have enough of the Beatles. The Beatles can never die. Scores of decades from now, we will still be talking about these four lads from Liverpool and their ability to transform the world music scene.

Well, this documentary is not about the Fab Four per se but was the product of his widow's perspective on the quiet Beatle. It starts with a look at his humble beginnings in the Beatles as the go-along non-assertive guy. The decisions in the band were made primarily by Lennon and McCartney. He was always composing songs in the background, only to have his compositions steamrolled by the domineering duo.

I suppose after maturing along the way, he demanded recognition and walked out of the Beatles even before the final break-up.

A good proportion of the 3hour 2-part show is devoted to his personal life post Beatles. Through a series of interviews (old and new), we get a glimpse of what happened to George after the glitz of showbiz.

There was the decadent years of LSD and cocaine, the uncertain years of search for meaning of life, his dive into the mystical world of Hinduism and Indian music, his friendship with many icons from varied fields - Jackie Stewart (F1 racer), Ravi Shanker, Eric Clapton (who wrote about and stole his wife, Patty Boyd), actors (he plunged into movie making in the 80s), Travelling Wilburys etcetera.

We discover that he has started to live a quiet life, writing songs that try to find the meaning of life. He went deep into Krsna consciousness, albeit a non-overtly metamorphized one (a closet devotee)!

The film ends with his fight with cancer and an insane intruder into his mansion.

Most of us grew up with either John or Paul as our favourite Beatles. Rarely does anyone pick George, and almost never does anyone pick Ringo. But as you grow older, you start appreciating George's meaningful songs about life and the meaning of life.

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