Movie/DVD Review

The first thing that came to mind upon learning that Death Cab for Cutie was premiering their documentary, Drive Well, Sleep Carefully, at the Seattle International Film Festival was, “Sweet Lord, what for?”

Really, why does this band need a feature-length film based on their experiences? Sure, Jeff Buckley and Graham Parsons had theirs at SIFF this year, but they’re DEAD. Also, legendary and whatnot.

But, inessential as this documentary may initially seem, there are a couple of things that are indisputable after watching it: 1. Death Cab is one hard-working, tight band and 2. Touring can be such a drag.

At some point in the movie, each band member, singer Ben Gibbard, bassist Nick Harmer, drummer Jason McGerr and guitarist/producer Chris Walla, echoes thing #2. Walla sums up their feelings perfectly by declaring, “Twenty-seven shows in a row – no one should have to do that. It’s ridiculous.”

Through brief interviews with the band, we get the distinct sense that while Death Cab is in this for the love, they’re a bit worn around the edges. And they should be. Since they formed in Bellingham, WA, way back in 1997, the success they’ve enjoyed (they recently made the jump from indie label Barsuk Records to Atlantic) has turned their lives into a never-ending cycle of touring and recording. But, they admit, every time the band rolls into a new town – weary, smelly, a little out of sorts because the last time they were awake they were in another state – it’s the fans’ happy faces that keep them going.

Most of Drive Well, directed by Justin Mitchell (Songs for Cassavetes) and produced by Gary Hustwit (I am Trying to Break Your Heart), was filmed during the last three weeks of the band’s spring 2004 Transatlanticism tour. It’s a mix of live footage captured at shows spanning New Orleans to Seattle, and band interviews that touch on the state of indie music, newfound fame, why sad songs are better and, of course, living on a tour bus for weeks on end.

According to Mitchell, who fielded questions from a packed theater audience during the post-movie Q&A, Drive Well was originally intended as a straight-up concert video. No engaging banter from the band, no captured hijinks – just live show footage, perfect for your DVD player.

It’s a good thing he chose to include the banter and the hijinks because otherwise this movie would have been a snoozer. Especially when, Mitchell said, he prefers to shoot from the side of the stage, so what you’re looking at during most of the live footage is someone’s back.

But, despite the parts that seemed to lag a bit, such as an extended version of “We Looked like Giants,” there were definitely bright points in the live bits. Energetic performances of “We Laugh Indoors,” “Title and Registration” and the film’s closer, “Bend to Squares” prove that Death Cab, even in celluloid, puts on one awesome show. And Mitchell also does a fair job giving viewers a sense of this band’s strong chemistry through interviews, voice-overs and various clips of the guys, mostly Harmer and Gibbard, goofing around.

Still, this definitely isn’t a movie for the casual viewer. Only a fan could sit through 85 minutes of clips about a band that has barely made a mark outside of the indie-music world and really get into it. A little more talk and a little less rock might have helped to hold the attention of the uninitiated – Death Cab is, after all, a witty, chatty group.

So back to the original question – why does a band like Death Cab for Cutie need a tour documentary? Because they’re good musicians? Nice guys? No. That describes countless bands. Drive Well, Sleep Carefully is just a service to their fans who want to know a little more about this band than they can learn by just walking up to one of the guys after a show and striking up a conversation. And yet, it’s fun to watch – especially if you can say, “Hey, I was there.”

Drive Well, Sleep Carefully is slated for DVD release this summer.

For more info see: seattlefilm.org, deathcabforcutie.com