Meeting People Is Easy

Grant Gee's 1998 documentary, Meeting People Is Easy, reflects the journey and experiences of the acclaimed British band, Radiohead, following the massive success of their “OK Computer" album. The film offers an intimate look into the highs and lows of touring, the frenzied media attention, the unsettling disconnection from home life, and the pressure exerted by the music industry. Moreover, it examines Radiohead’s pulling away from the Pop Rock archetype to remember the art in their music.

Thom Yorke, the band's lead singer, and Jonny Greenwood, its lead guitarist, are the primary figures, even as other band members – Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, and Phil Selway – also prominently feature. Together, they navigate a grueling tour schedule taking them from Tokyo to New York, and from Barcelona to Rome.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Meeting People Is Easy is its style, a postmodern collage of high-contrast and grainy shots, overlaid text, and disjointed narrative thread. This style echoes the disjointedness and isolation the band experiences while touring. Grant Gee takes an unconventional approach to the traditional rock documentary, presenting various chaotic scenes but framed with the band's unique, introspective music, an unsettling blend of melancholy and abrasion.

Throughout the documentary, audiences witness the increasing pressure on Yorke, his frustration with the curious media palpable as he answers absurd questions while striving to stay true to his and the band's vision. These moments counterpoint beautifully with footage of their spellbinding live performances that show why Radiohead had garnered such a large following. The film takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour, capturing Radiohead amid the perfervid drama of backstage preparations, the anxiety of performances, the surreal tranquility of soundchecks, and the repetitive monotony inherent to the touring life.

Jonny Greenwood, the enigmatic and intense lead guitarist, is also given ample camera time, legitimizing the undeniable role he plays in Radiohead's unique aural nature. His meticulous dedication to his craft and his creative interactions with the other band members during the making of their music lend an engaging edge to the film.

The documentary features several memorable sequences. One involves the band being photographed for promotional shoots resulting in eerily dystopian portraits, syncing perfectly with the overall atmosphere of the film. Another sequence centers around Yorke's radio interview where he discusses irrelevant plotlines from "Dallas" - a testament of his exhausted effort to maintain his sanity amid relentless and often absurd media attention.

Meeting People Is Easy is more than just another rock band documentary. Its postmodern cinematographic style combined with the introspective journey of the band members creates a fascinating and unsettling tapestry of stardom, artistry, and human endurance. It represents Radiohead's anti-star attitude, emphasizing the human cost involved in creating and performing music at an international level. Although it focuses on a world-renowned band, at its core, it tells a universal story of striving for authenticity and meaning in an increasingly hollow and frenetic world.

This movie, in many ways, is a significant part of the Radiohead narrative. It doesn't engage with the band's music as much as it analyzes their status as reluctant rock heroes and the impact of their sudden fame on their personal and creative lives. Meeting People Is Easy peels away the glamour of the rock star life, revealing its often chaotic, uninspiring, and stressful reality. The result is a documentary that, in true Radiohead style, defies expectations and norms, providing the viewer with a raw and real narrative of the price of success in the modern music industry.

In conclusion, Meeting People Is Easy isn't a traditional rock documentary. Instead, it's a moody, introspective, and often disconcerting examination of fame and the toll it takes on those who unexpectedly find themselves under the harsh spotlight of expectation and demand. It is a must-watch for fans of Radiohead and anyone interested in diving deep into the not often seen darker side of the music industry.