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Created Oct 23, 2015 09:20PM PST • Edited Oct 24, 2015 01:49AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   Less a concert film than a rockstar biography, Keith Richards: Under the Influence uses the structure of the old bluesman’s 2015 solo album as inspiration for a look back at his half-century career atop the pops.

   “I ain’t a popstar anymore”, he says ironically if accurately. But he’s hardly in his dotage either, having marinated into the pleasantly potted position of elder statesman and inner delinquent. Given his vast talent, which remains stunning, he comes across more charmingly than such a roguish life deserves.

   The movie is paced by the great rockstar’s influences, each leading to a song from the new album inspired by them. The blues first of all, exemplified by Muddy Watters, followed closely behind by Chuck Berry rock-n-roll. Country gets its due, damn straight, with Keef’s long deceased friend Gram Parsons invoked. Reggae naturally comes in for some love, as it must in a movie about a rockstar with a home in Jamaica.

   The anecdotes come rat-a-tat-tat as he reflects back on influences. Standing in front of a Chicago row house, he recalls crashing at Howling Wolfe’s home and waking at Muddy Waters’, which turns out to be where he’s standing on camera, here in 2015. That’s a Rolling Stone for you, right there.

   Keith Richards: Under the Influence is a must-see for Stones fans in general and Keef fans in particular. If that describes you, it doesn’t matter what you want, it’s got what you need.

   Netflix has it all teed up.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   “Nobody wants to die young, but they don’t want to get old either,” quoth the wise old rockstar. Keith Richards has been under the influence for longer than most people have been alive, and that includes lots of old people. Yet he looks clear eyed, clear skinned and plenty energetic. He’s living proof that life ain’t fair.

   The drummer Steve Jordan is Keef’s main musical partner for the new album and this movie. Hail to him!

   Waddy Wachtel talks some and plays some more.

   Tom Waits grumbles impressively about his legendary exploits with the British Buccaneer.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    Morgan Neville also directed the very good documentary about backup singers, including several Rolling Stones backup singers, 20 Feet from Stardom, so he knows the scene.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Perfect 5.0

13. Music Perfect 5.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.8

17. Sex Titillating 1.9

18. Violence Fierce 1.6

19. Rudeness Salty 1.9

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0