Godard's Rolling Stones film tracks the evolution of a song (Sympathy
For The Devil) through endless versions, cutting away at random points
to scenes of revolution outside the studio. Yet it's far truer to the
realities of songwriting and recording than any other music movie,
from A Hard Day's Night to Spinal Tap; and gives plenty of insights into
the Stones - Jagger's work ethic, Keef's shamanic cool, Brian Jones
already a spectral presence. But it's perhaps best seen as a film about
revolution, and the need to go on remaking it - which may be why Godard
assaulted his producer for adding the finished song to the end.
