Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet – Film Review
Director: Jesse Vile
Starring: Jason Becker, Ehren Becker and Gary Becker
Not Dead Yet is a documentary that tells the story of Jason Becker, neo-classical metal guitarist and songwriter extraordinaire. In the prime of his life and career, Jason was struck with Lou Gehrig’s disease. The illness degraded him until he was confined to a wheelchair, unable even to talk. However, his passion for music never wavered and he likes to remind people: he’s still here.
The title of the film is an indication of the tone, as Not Dead Yet is a surprisingly optimistic perspective on what most people would view as a pretty grim situation. We open with a playful home video of Jason and his pal jamming on acoustic guitars. A simple display of Jason’s happy teenage years initially, as the melody gets more complex, we soon realize how very talented (and modestly so) that he is. Even as we explore the serious effects of his illness, the film rarely wanders into darker territory.
“All my friends are all always bitching about their parents, and I’m just standing there with nothing to say…I need something bad to happen to me”.
It is largely a talking heads affair, with a wealth of photographs and special footage interspersed for fans viewing pleasure. Rock stars like Steve Vai and Marty Friedman step in to talk fondly of their touring days with Becker. Clips from his teenage years are particularly engaging, the camera lingering on him while he either practices or performs. You can almost feel the pride emanating from the camera holder, whomever they may be.
And this presents a minor problem in that, because the film is presented to us by Jason’s family and friends, we never see a darker side of him. He is, deservedly so, a glorified figure. And it has to be said, judging from the footage we do see of him, it is very difficult to imagine him in a fit of anger or depression. Yet, for the brief period when he is initially coping with his disease, a bit of frustration is to be expected and could easily have be forgiven. The fact that any evidence of this is highlighted only fleetingly feels like something of a strained effort to paint Jason in a saintly light.
However, as stated previously, this is an optimistic film to match an optimistic personality. If Jason Becker does not wish the audience to feel sorry for him, it is understandable that he will do all he can to prevent his vulnerable side being shown onscreen. The documentary itself isn’t exactly mind-blowing, but it does give us a good feel for who Jason Becker is and what he’s up to.
Able to communicate through his eyes and compose via a specially designed computer, Jason Becker is a man with a passion, a dream and an extraordinary talent. And no obstacle, no matter how gargantuan, is going to stop him from doing what he loves. The film may not be revolutionary, but it’s subject certainly is.
Score: 3/5
*For those who have never heard any of Jason Becker’s work, it is pretty astonishing. Below is the song Opus Pocus, the last song from his first album ‘Perpetual Burn’. Opus Pocus is also the name of the production company that made Not Dead Yet possible.
