The highly acclaimed country-influenced band, Wilco, was documented by filmmaker and photographer Sam Jones during the creative process of their new album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. When Jones took on the project he had no idea what he had stumbled upon. During the recording process, drummer Ken Coomer left the band, and the multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett was asked to leave the band. The departure of Jay Bennett from the band was portrayed as a struggle over power between him and Jeff Tweedy, the lead singer and guitar player of Wilco. In addition to all of the turmoil within the band, their record company, Reprise, refused to release the album unless they made changes to it. The band refused to make any changes and bought the rights to their album so they could look for a new label to release the album.

This documentary film, entitled, “I’m Trying to Break Your Heart,” was only shown in select theaters in the United States, but has been released on a double disc DVD. The first disc is the documentary as it was shown in the theater, and the second is full of extra scenes. The second disc is so amazing you keep asking yourself why these parts were cut out. In addition to all of the extra scenes on the second disc there is also some love performances shown from Wilco’s tour and Jeff Tweedy’s solo tour.

The entire documentary was made with 16mm black and white film. It is visually very pleasing to watch. You receive a glimpse into the private life of the entire band, which makes you realize how down to earth they really are.

A writer from Rolling Stone tried to explain on the documentary the album is either appreciated within the first 30 seconds or it is misunderstood, and for those people who don’t understand, he feels sorry for them. This documentary is similar to Wilco’s album in the fact that it was made for the people that understand the greatness of such bands like Wilco who will not compromise their music for anyone.

Grade: B