Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell

Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell, released in 2008, is a mesmerizing, intimate film portrait, as unique and subtly complex as the multifaceted artist it seeks to honor and explore. The film is a brilliantly crafted documentary on the life and work of Arthur Russell, an iconic cultural figure whose influence transcends time and genre boundaries.

Directed by Matt Wolf, Wild Combination presents a stylish, layered tribute, with attention to detail that mirrors Russell's own expansive oeuvre. Wolf works with an extensive and eclectic range of material, complimenting the enigmatic character of the film's subject. The narrative seamlessly weaves between interviews with those closest to Russell, archival footage, as well as dramatized scenes from the artist's past. It also features many iconic locations, including the bustling streets of New York City which was a significant backdrop to much of Russell's work.

One striking feature of Wild Combination lies in the combined voices of Russell's closest friends, family, and collaborators. These include the likes of distinguished musician David Byrne, record producer Bob Blank, and bassist Ernie Brooks. Through individual interviews, they unravel not just the creative genius and vision of Arthur Russell, but also provide profound insights into his often solitary and insular personal world.

David Byrne, a celebrated name in the world of music, along with Bob Blank, whose history of music production and influence in the disco genre matches up to Russell's own eclectic style, offer a deep dive into Russell's groundbreaking work. Ernie Brooks who played an instrumental role in the modern lovers, a band in which Russell was also a member, contributes to disclosing an intimate perspective of the artist. Their vivid recollections embody the enigma that is Russell, a man whose talent was as vast as it was varied.

Throughout the film, Wolf utilizes their nostalgic reflections to explore Russell's remarkable journey from his early days in Iowa to his evolving music career in San Francisco and New York. His roots in American folk and experimentation with genres ranging from avant-garde to pop, disco, and electronica provide a sonic palette so diverse that it marvelously weaves the narrative. The use of Russell's music as a significant part of the film score is further emblematic of a man whose relationship with music was wholehearted, intuitive, and revelatory. His fearlessly inventive compositions, straddling ceaselessly between various genres, give Wild Combination an infectious rhythm that beats in the spirit of its protagonist.

Besides Russell's musical genius, Wild Combination does not shy away from exploring the artist's personal life: his relationship with his family, his sexuality, and his long-time partner Tom Lee. Via re-enactment and interviews, Wolf paints an affectionate yet unscholarly picture of the intimacy and complexities that marked Russell’s life. The film strikingly showcases Russell's defiance of restrictive labels, an attitude that extended beyond his music to his personal life as well – making any attempt to categorize the man as futile as trying to pin his music down to a single genre.

Moreover, the film delves into Russell's constant struggle with the music industry's demands and the tragic illness that prematurely ended his life. It is in these somber moments that the film captures the fragility and turbulence beneath the surface of Russell's quiet, stoic exterior.

What distinctively stands out in Wild Combination is the director's bold narrative approach— instead of attempting to put Arthur Russell's life and work in a neatly trimmed box, he explores the depth and spaciousness of his artistic world. The film resonates with an emotional honesty that allows the audience to experience Arthur Russell for who he truly was, a sublime artist and an exceptional human being, whose work reached out to a visceral depth.

In summary, Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell presents an insightful exploration into the unknown legacy of a prodigious talent, a mysterious spirit, and a pioneering force in the music landscape. This documentary serves as a testament to Russell’s influence, an embodiment of a unique perspective, and a tribute to a radical, creative genius. The film is not only for the admirers of Arthur Russell but also for anyone seeking to discover the profound narratives of artists tackling the world on their own terms.