Lennon Naked

BBC

Roadshow

R4 DVD

Lennon Naked is a remarkable piece of docudrama. Christopher Eccleston is eminently believable as Lennon, Christopher Fairban as his father and Naoko Mori as Yoko Ono. The film primarily focuses on Lennon and his own emotionally charged journey, with the Beatles in the background. This is an unusual approach as most films on John Lennon place the Beatles centre stage. This exploration of his difficult childhood, tortured emotional life, close friendships such as with Brian Epstein and relationships is incredibly visceral and moving.

In 1964 John Lennon very reluctantly agrees to meet his father who seemingly abandoned him some seventeen years before. With the press in attendance it doesn’t go well. John as a very close to Brian who is a closeted homosexual, a short time later Brian either committed suicide or died of an accidental drug overdose. His death shook Lennon and so he tries to rekindle his relationship with his father, Freddie. His father is a heavy drinker and once again things don’t go well.

John is trying to make a success of his marriage to Cynthia but she wants a normal privileged rich life while John is far more of an outsider. After a series of strange notes from a fan, Yoko Ono, they meet and develop a relationship. In the Sixties this causes a terrible stir, celebrated musician leaves wife and son for Asian girlfriend, the racist media does not help. As Vietnam unfolds Lennon and Ono do various art protests including Lennon returning his M.B.E in protest against England’s involvement in the war. Apple Corps, their music company, does well at first but with the strange turn in the Beatles music, the White Album, and John’s erratic personal and political behaviour it begins to go down the tubes.

The film focuses on Lennon’s emotional life and offers a brutally honest portrayal of a truly brilliant musician plagued by emotional suffering, doubts and depression. It does not attempt to whitewash Lennon and portrays him honestly as a damaged genius at times hurts others as much as was hurt. His creativity came at an incredible cost and it is interesting to see a documentary that explores his life in such honest terms. At the same time Lennon Naked captures the impish humour and amazing wit that Lennon had throughout his life and is a joy to watch.

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