Dr. Feelgood - Oil City Confidential

Oil City Confidential, released in 2009, is a compelling and engaging rock documentary that delves into the story of Dr. Feelgood, a British pub rock band that revolutionized the music scene during the 1970s. The film brilliantly combines music, history, and biography to create an immersive narrative about a group that is often regarded as one of the most influential and overlooked bands of their time. Oil City Confidential stars Lee Brilleaux, Wilko Johnson, and John Martin, and is directed by Julien Temple, who is known for his skillful and innovative approach to rockumentary filmmaking.

The film captures the raw edginess, unique character, and powerful rhythm and blues essence of Dr. Feelgood, who famously burst onto the British music scene with their tough and tight performances during the pre-punk mid-70s. Set against the backdrop of Canvey Island in Essex, known for its oil refineries, industrial landscape, and distinctive earthy culture, the band’s hometown deeply influenced their gritty, hard-hitting musical style. This backdrop gives the documentary its title—Oil City Confidential.

Among the band's members, the film primarily focuses on vocalist Lee Brilleaux and guitarist Wilko Johnson, but all members, including John Martin, have their stories told. Brilleaux's powerful stage presence and Johnson's unconventional, choppy guitar technique are celebrated, and these tributes intersect with revelations about their personal experiences and the dynamics within the group.

The narrative is candidly narrated using interviews, news clippings, home movies, and electrifying performance footage. The filmmakers use black-and-white grainy footage to help to create a sense of authenticity and match the film’s aesthetics with its raw and honest storyline. The mix of interviews is expansive, featuring insights from a raft of notable personalities from across the music industry, as well as intimate conversations with the band members themselves.

Wilko Johnson's interview forms a pivotal part of this documentary. His passionate reminiscence about the birth, growth, and eventual breakdown of Dr. Feelgood brings an intimate depth to this rockumentary. His trademark wide-eyed, intense-yet-amused style of storytelling is complemented by archival footage of the band in their prime. Johnson's eccentric, endearing charm captures the viewers' attention and adds a unique hue to the story's canvas.

Brilleaux's charisma and fierce live performances are remembered posthumously through excerpts from older interviews and tributes from friends, family, and fans. This encapsulates the passion, wild energy, and intense personality of a man deemed the heart of Dr. Feelgood.

The story of John Martin, fondly known as Big Figure, also adds interesting flavors to the narrative. The drummer's style, his interactions with the group, and his role in shaping the rock-hard rhythm section of Dr. Feelgood come across subtly but effectively.

Oil City Confidential does not just chart the rise and fall of a rock band; it is also a vivid portrayal of a time and place, providing viewers a social and cultural snapshot of 1970s Britain on the brink of change. Throughout the film, Temple juxtaposes the band’s journey with the changing socio-political landscape, subtly linking the energy, frustration, and gritty realism in Dr. Feelgood's music with the wider societal context.

With a nostalgic and sometimes melancholic air, Oil City Confidential pays tribute to a band that was instrumental in reshaping British rock music, blending a deep respect for their musical prowess and influence with a wry acknowledgment of the ephemerality of fame. Far from a simplistic profile or concert film, it presents a layered, intricate portrait of Dr. Feelgood, replete with personal triumphs, inter-band conflicts, and the harsh realities of the music industry.

Regardless of whether viewers are long-standing fans of Dr. Feelgood, lovers of rock music history, or new to the band’s music, Oil City Confidential offers a compelling exploration of an era and a band that left an indelible mark on the music scene. Through humor, wit, and emotional depth, it delves beneath the surface of the music scene, offering an enthralling cinematic experience that speaks to music and film lovers alike. The film ultimately substantiates Dr. Feelgood's legacy as one of the most powerful, influential, and inspirational bands of its time, spotlighting the group’s profound and enduring impact on the British music scene.