Otway: The Movie DVD Review

Director: Steve Barker

Starring: John Otway

Running Time: 97 Minutes

I don’t think I will be the first admit that I had no idea who John Otway is.  As a massive fan of THIS IS SPINAL TAP I was preparing myself for Stonehenge and little sized bread, what you get is a touching documentary which although hilarious in places, it has a bigger more poignant message.

John Otway was once deemed the next best thing after a 1972 punk hit ‘Really Free’. Polydor had given him a massive advance and like a true rockstar, Otway bought himself a Bentley…to look at as he rode his bicycle home ever day.

Unfortunately for Otway his next record was a flop, and the record after that, and the one after that, and  you get the picture, they were all big fat flops.  You know that saying of how you can’t keep a good guy down?  Well, Otway is that guy and his enthusiasm is purely inspiring as he just seems to dust himself off and try, try again.

With a large and devoted fanbase, Otway comes across as very humble and open to anything. His live shows look fantastic with Otway’s energetic theatrics.  If he was ever performing near me, I think I would have to see him. There is something very charming about him and all though you may start of with a raised eyebrow, you can’t help but root for him. If we all thought like Otway, we may be able to live our dreams more.  Fancy playing the Royal Albert Hall after a series of flops? Otway did! Or how about one of his lyrics coming in at number seven beating ‘Nights In White Satin’ and just below The Beatles ‘Yesterday‘ in The Nation’s Favourite Lyric?  I almost feel bad for not knowing who Otway is, but after getting a glimspe into his world, I kinda want to be a part of it.

OTWAY: THE  MOVIE does have its moments which are pure ‘Spinal Tap’, whether it is Otway crushing his bits on a speaker during The Old Grey Whistle Test or his ‘Tent Tour’ with a less than enthusiastic band.  There is no doubt that Otway has lead a colourful life, doing things that most of us only dream of, like performing at Abbey Road studios for a version of The Animals ‘House Of The Rising Sun‘ with 1,000 fans heckling him.

But the point of this documentary was not so much showing us ‘Rock & Roll’s Greatest Failure’, it was to show us that if you don’t try, you don’t succeed.  Life is all about taking risks and if we don’t try once in a while we will never get anywhere.  No matter how many rejections or failures we experience, we have to keep going until our star shines.  John Otway could probably make a career as a motivational speaker as he is a truly inspiring if not eccentric character.  I wouldn’t call him a failure at all as he has done what most of us are afraid of, he has tried.

[usr=4] OTWAY: THE MOVIE is available to buy on DVD and BLU-RAY now.