Not in this movie: Christine McVie.
Music documentaries can be a dicey proposition, particularly when the subject is also involved with the production of the film: Unavoidably, the star in question will present itself under the best possible light. Given that conflict moves most narratives, without it inertia settles in.
That’s the case with Stevie Nicks: In Your Dreams, a somewhat dull look into the songwriting process. Directed by Nicks and the lesser half of Eurhythmics (Dave Stewart), the film details the making of her latest solo project. Stewart –also co-writer and co-producer of the record- is too enamored of the erstwhile Fleetwood Mac lead singer to dig too deep.
Musically speaking, “In Your Dreams” is a fairly solid effort, but it’s no “Rumours”. The film provides little insight regarding the creative process. At one point, Reese Witherspoon (don’t ask) comes with a clever little line –“cheaper than free”- that Nicks and Stewart turn into song overnight. Zero struggle. Considering half of the film unfolds in a recording studio, the Witherspoon episode qualifies as a “thrill”.
The doc destroys some of the mystique around Stevie. She finds inspiration in Twilight: New Moon for one of her ballads. Nicks comes out as bossy, detail oriented, but always right. Some of her stories are vaguely interesting, but the majority only matter to her and hardcore fans.
Mick Fleetwood and Lindsey Buckingham provide some solace when summoned to help with a couple of tracks. The equally minded but far superior doc Fleetwood Mac: Destiny Rules comes to mind, if only because Lindsey was capable of going toe-to-toe with Stevie. Dave Stewart just lies there. Two prairie dogs telling lies, telling sweet little lies.
Stevie Nicks: In Your Dreams is now playing at the RPL.
