Purely Joyful Movie!

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

During the early 90's, Jane's Addiction/Porno for Pyros vocalist Perry Farrell and his then-wife Casey Niccoli worked on a cinematic project that would feature his band Jane's Addiction and also explore their own relationship. Although the movie definitely has a "made for video" look to it, the contents within are pretty interesting. There's documentary footage of Jane's Addiction's phenomenal live shows, and of Perry and Casey getting married in a Santeria ceremony. The fictional footage of Casey dying of a heroin overdose is very disturbing, considering that she and Perry, not to mention Eric Avery and Dave Navarro, all had problems with narcotics. Watch out for Harry Perry, a Venice Beach musician who plays a wicked guitar while rollerskating in a turban.

What initially is a collection of music videos for the Jane's Addiction album "Ritual de lo Habitual" becomes a heart-wrenching story of accidents, mourning, and the bonds of love. The film revolves around Perry and Casey. While Perry is recording with the band, Casey goes out to get a little "treat" of heroin. Unfortunately, what she has is a bad batch and she finds this out much too late. When Perry comes home to discover her, he goes into shock, wondering what to do next and who to call. As he wonders about the house, he begins to think back about their life together, from their Santerian wedding to a bizarre drug-rehab center. The music from the album fits in well with the action and the acting is better than one would expect from rock stars. The subject matter for a video as such is very original and well thought-out. But it also raises some disturbing questions: what WOULD you do if you came home to your loved-one in such a fashion? Who would you call first? Will the blame be placed on you? How will this affect you and your actions? The answers to these questions unfold in beautiful visuals and excellent examples of early-90's alternative music with an ending that will shock you.