Bastards of Soul (2024) Film Review
It’s going to be alright.
A line that’s repeated constantly in Bastards of Soul, a documentary about brotherhood and creativity, and how they become crucial during the unexpected and the tragic. This is a very compelling journey through a territory that’s not often understood by everyone: the creation of original music based on ideas, influences, and talent. Nevertheless, Paul Levatino takes the leadership as a director in a very intimate setting. He doesn’t hold the camera up close to those behind the creation of beautiful sounds. The camera is just one more instrument that documents a jewel shining through chance.
The stars align and a Texas band is formed by extremely talented musicians whose creative visions click at the same time and they sound like the greats in the genre. Their live performances are magnetic, and their music is based on a wall of sound that could match those of soul icons. Because in this genre, one thing’s for sure: identity is necessary and the Bastards of Soul have plenty. The film takes us through their gathering in a enclosed space where they record the music their leader has had on his mind for a while. In the center, Chadwick Murray contributes with angel-like vocals that are comparable to those of Cooke, Wilson and Wonder.
The process of recording their album is well-documented by Levatino who focuses on the repetitive nature of music composition and its ultimate execution. He brings out the stress, the exhaustion and the inevitable relaxation through the celebration that’s not as loud as it is during live performances.
But Bastards of SoulĀ is forced to shift its tone due to a real event that’s as surprising as it is tragic. Murray is about to become a father, and he finds the time between the band and preparing his baby’s room. When the COVID-19 pandemic strikes, the band is forced to take a break, and Murray focuses on just one thing: being a good dad. Unfortunately, he will only meet his son Lennox through the camera. A respiratory disease takes over his body, and he passes away hours after he accepts to go to the doctor.
Levatino does his best to turn Bastards of SoulĀ into a worthy homage that could represent the love and devotion the band had for their unique frontman. It’s painful to say the least, but he also addresses the inevitability of something as random as a disease that took the world by surprise and took loved ones with it in the worst health crisis of modern history. All we have are the memories and records, and Murray’s legacy is strong enough to endure. The documentary also shows the band’s courageous ability to continue without their vocal lighthouse. Yes, it’s about paying tribute to Murray’s talent, but it’s also about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, regardless of them having to basically start over with a new direction.
Yes. In the end, everything was going to be alright. But this was only believable when spoken by Chadwick Murray’s beautiful soul. Now it’s up to his brothers to continue his legacy by continuing to offer the world original and almost aggressively heartfelt music.
