Cast: Andre Benjamin, Hayley Atwell, Imogen Poots, Ruth Negga

Written and Directed by: John Ridley

Academy Award-winner Director John Ridley - perhaps best known for penning the 12 Years a Slave (2013)screenplay, takes on a new subject this time in documenting music legend Jimi Hendrix. What better way to pay tribute to the rocker than to review this DVD on the legend days before his 45^th death anniversary (18^th September 1970).

Andre Benjamin plays Jimi Hendrix in a role befitting the star, in looks as well as in every move. Those who have seen ‘A Film on Jimi Hendrix’ (released three years after the musician's untimely death),would find this new flick completely different from the rockumentary, in the sense that this film concentrates more on Jimi’ struggle to find meaning in his music, showcasing more on his womanizing, his drug intake, and his loss on what he wanted to do with his music.

The film takes you to his early days when he is found struggling in his career, performing in a club that had barely a dozen people listening. Linda Keith (Imogen Poots), Keith Richard’s then girlfriend who claims to have discovered Jimi, happens to find him playing in the club. She showers all her love on him, even gifting a brand new electric guitar, hopeful that one day he will hit the stage and make it big in America. She convinces Chas Chandler (Andrew Buckley), the Animals bassist to become Jimi’s manager. Chas is awestruck by what he sees.

Move over to London and Jimi’s electric riffs leave his audience stunned. Though he has his hardships with poverty, racism and experimenting with various drugs, he seems to take it all in stride, enjoying every bit of his glory. We also get to see the antics with every new girl he met including his girlfriend Kathy Etchingham (Hayley Atwell).

Sadly we get to see the real Jimi on stage in small black and white concert footage capsules, interspersed with interviews.

But that aside if you’ve followed Hendrix, you’d want to get this DVD.

Rating: ***

-  Reviewed by Verus Ferreira