User reviews

Greetings again from the darkness. "Wish you were here" is one of the songs Pink Floyd wrote in tribute to the band's enigmatic founder, Syd Barrett. These days, fifty-five years after he left the band and seventeen years after his death, Barrett remains a mysterious cult figure in rock lore, enveloped by rumors and conjecture. Co-directors Roddy Bogawa and Storm Thorgerson (graphic designer of such classic album covers as Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon") attempt to present the facts by talking to a stream of folks who were there.

It might seem odd for a Syd Barrett documentary to be timed to coincide with the 50-year anniversary of Pink Floyd's best-selling album, "The Dark Side of the Moon", since Barrett didn't perform on the album and had been gone from the band for five years. However, since the inspiration for the album's concept and songs were derived from the band's feelings towards Barrett, the timing does make sense. Bassist Roger Waters admits that Pink Floyd would not have existed without Barrett, and that is a crucial element to keep in mind despite the band having so much commercial success in the post-Barrett era.

"Creative genius" is an overused label, but Syd Barrett earned it, despite his short musical career. Enigma and mystery also apply to his story since he was basically kicked out of his own band and later retreated from public life ... along the way displaying unconventional behavior. Did the LSD habit have detrimental effects? Did he suffer from an undiagnosed mental illness? Was he on the spectrum? Did he prefer a simpler, quieter life far from the rock star lifestyle? The directors offer many folks the chance to chime in with their memories and theories. Those interviewed include former band members, Barrett's sister, his girlfriends, numerous childhood friends, influenced musicians, teachers, and psychologists.

Pink Floyd members Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and David Gilmour are respectful in their comments and give credit to Barrett for his influence. Also documented is the infamous day a barely recognizable Barrett dropped into Apple Studios while the band was recording "Wish You Were Here". The photographs are shown and provide the startling contrast between that Barrett and the one we had seen a few years prior. The Syd Barrett described as "fun", "artistic", and "intelligent" was not the one sitting in the studio that day.

Rock legend Pete Townshend describing the psychedelic heavy metal sound of Barrett's band is a highlight of the film, as is the somewhat sad story of the band deciding not to pick up an unpredictable Barrett before a gig ... with the punchline, "why bother?" Another interesting bit of trivia is learning that Barrett named the band via a blues mashup of Pink Anderson and Floyd Council. The reverence displayed by each interviewee solidifies his lasting impact, and the utter confusion surrounding exactly what happened with him. We always hear 'painters must paint', and 'writers must write', and we wonder if Syd Barrett is the exception. Is his a sad story, or one of a man who found the life he preferred? We now know more, though we will never know that.

Available July 12, 2023.

Many classic bands took some time to find the line ups that ultimately made them famous. And while no-one is very interested in Pete best (the Beatles' first, and apparently not that talented, drummer), some of these stories are potentially more interesting, such as bands lost their founding members amid their mental disintegration: Brian Jones from the Rolling Stones, Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac, and Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd are the obvious examples. This documentary tells Barrett's story. It's arguably more than just his personal tale, giving us a portrait of life in the Bohemian avant garde of the late 1960s. Unfortunately, while we get a picture of the scene, the personality of Barrett himself remains elusive; and as someone unfamilliar with Pink Floyd's early work, the excerpts we get here suggests it wasn't actually very good; or at least, that the band's later fame isn't really Barrett's legacy. As such, it's a sad story, but ultimately a small one.

This film is spectacularly well done, taking the time to tell the story of Roger Barrett as a child, his transformation into Syd Barrett through childhood, and the formation of Pink Floyd before exploring the tragic turn of events which lead to his sudden and mysterious exile.

With insightful interviews of friends and bandmates (which is amazing unto itself given the state of Pink Floyd in the post Waters era), beautiful visual and sound design, and story arc - Bogawa and Thorgerson take the audience of an emotional journey of an amazing person who was caught in the crossfire of childhood and stardom.

Careful to avoid any tabloids or cheap shortcuts pointing to easy answers. Barrett's story is told in a compassionate and caring narrative. We learn about the duality of Roger and Syd - how they seemed to be two different people trapped in one mind, and how his psychological breakdown leaves no easy explanations and continues to remain a tragic mystery - and while there is a Brian Jones, Peter Green, or Pete Best - no one shaped a band like Barrett did and then departed in such a tragic way before that band reached such highs.

I've watched this 5 times since it was released a week ago. I wish they'd interviewed Twink. Maybe the only drawback. I'm one of these people who became aware of Pink Floyd in the late 70's through The Wall, DSOTM, Wish you were here, and Animals. Without their success without him, I don't know how much he would've stood out to me. I just remember telling a friend in high school (mid 80's) how much I loved their music. He asked if I'd heard Piper, and I said " Yes, but it's really strange". After that, I gave it another listen. From then, on I've placed it as my favorite work by Pink Floyd.

This film is for any musician or music fan who feels like an outsider.