BILLIE EILISH: THE WORLD’S A LITTLE BLURRY | FILM REVIEW
Dir: R.J. Cutler (15, 140 mins)
Billie Eilish is proving to be one of the next big stars in music. Not even 20 years old, her warm, nuanced voice and no-fucks-given attitude are factors that make a singer of real merit. Though I may not be the demographic, it’s safe to say I’m a fan.
In what might be Apple TV’s saving grace, this extensive documentary on the singer is conventionally filmed by R.J. Cutler. We see her at home making music with her brother Finneas, on tour, or just chilling out. Her commitment to the craft is a testament; her devotion to her fans has never wavered. Being a teenager, she is typically full of sass but hard on herself, when forgetting lyrics at her breakout Coachella concert for example. Eilish, though, appears very grounded in all things stardom, thanks to her loving family of musicians.
The emotional grip comes in the last third, where the singer sprains her ankle in Milan and a potential love interest proves fruitless. Even just seeing Eilish get her driver’s licence is interesting, a reminder that she is so young. Her ticking from Tourettes is triggered in a few scenes, and a story of self-harm from years prior also proves how far she’s come.
Moments of humour come via her drowsy dog, the realisation she’s just met Orlando Bloom and not realised, and an encounter – awkward, then sweet – with her idol Justin Bieber. Her dad just continuing to talk as Billie goes on her first drive is also a strange little moment – leading to a quibble with her mum, who missed her heading out.
There are some negatives here, even if slight. The World’s A Little Blurry could have done with a bit of trimming, and some more flare in the cinematography might have gone a long way. A repetitive piano track is played throughout, and there appears to be no warning about the strobe lights which feature during some concerts. A pointless intermission features, though the film continues as normal with no breather. Saying this, any qualms are quashed thanks to the luscious rendition of My Future playing us out for the end credits.
Released on Fri 26 Feb via Apple TV. Info: here
words JAMES ELLIS image APPLE TV
