Working Class Boy (2018)

Working Class Boy: Directed by Mark Joffe. With Jimmy Barnes, Jim Duffy, Jack Oliver, Bill Brouwers. Based on Barnes’ memoir of the same name, this documentary tells the story of his childhood survival in the slums of Glasgow, immigration to Australia, and how he became the lead singer of Cold Chisel.

“Jimmy Barnesu0026#39; autobiography u0026quot;Working Class Boyu0026quot; was a candid change from the usual u0026#39;sex, drugs and rock u0026#39;nu0026#39; rollu0026#39; clichés.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe beloved Australian rock and soul legend bravely wrote about his harrowing childhood: his violent and turbulent formative years in Glasgow (as James Dixon Swan); the move to South Australia, which was meant to bring hope of a fresh start, but continued the cycle of domestic violence, alcohol abuse and poverty with an abusive, drunk father, frustrated mother, scared kids and instability; his new father Reg Barnes rescuing Jimmy and his family; his wild teenage years (gang violence, drinking, chasing girls and playing music) and finally meeting Ian Moss and Don Walker and joining Cold Chisel.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThis documentary expands on the book, with emotional interviews with Barnes, his family (his sister, his wife Jane Barnes and son David Campbell), childhood friend Bill Brouwers and Moss and Walker. Barnes literately goes the extra mile by visiting the houses in Glasgow and Elizabeth where he used to grow up. He doesnu0026#39;t hide how horrifying it was, so he should be commended for bravely opening old wounds. Itu0026#39;s a much better choice than another awful u0026#39;made for commercial TVu0026#39; biopic with some has-been soap opera actor trying to imitate Barnsey.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eBreaking up the interviews is footage from his Working Class Boy tour and soundstage recordings. The intimate setting is perfect for Barnes and the emotion of some of the songs, including: u0026quot;Heartaches by the Numberu0026quot; (a favourite song of his grandmotheru0026#39;s), u0026quot;The Lion Sleeps Tonightu0026quot; (with daughter Mahalia), u0026quot;The Upper Roomu0026quot; (from Mahalia Jackson – Jimmy tells a story of watching u0026quot;The Imitation of Lifeu0026quot; as a child and was captivated by Jacksonu0026#39;s voice; that began the powerful hold of music), u0026quot;Dark End of the Streetu0026quot;, u0026quot;Reflections of My Lifeu0026quot; (with Campbell), u0026quot;Flame Treesu0026quot; (a stripped-down version with Moss and Walker), u0026quot;When the War is Overu0026quot; and u0026quot;Still Got a Long Way to Gou0026quot; (with family friend Mark u0026#39;Dieselu0026#39; Lizotte).u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDespite all the suffering, the documentary ends optimistically, with Barnes crediting his upbringing and all his mistakes for making him the happy family man he is today.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe next question: will there be a follow up documentary for the booku0026#39;s sequel u0026quot;Working Class Manu0026quot;?”