'Belushi' A Review

Belushi is a documentary about the life and career of the late John Belushi. Through archival footage, stills, and audio interviews the life of Belushi is explored. Beginning with a brief exploration of his childhood it follows his career first in summerstock, then Second City, then National Lampoons Radio, then SNL, then films, concluding with his untimely death.

The movie is odd in that it was clearly repurposed from an attempt at an oral-history book, so although there are extensive audio interviews, most notably with Belushi's widow Judith Belushi Pisano, it feels as if it should have been an audiobook, and aside from her testimony there is not much new that hasn't been covered numerous times over the years in biographies, documentaries, biopics, and E! True Hollywood Stories. That's not to say it's not well done, it is, but there is nothing new as far as information and no new side of Belushi that is explored. And the runtime feels a bit bloated, the languorous pace and incessant audio interviews over still photographs strains patience within the context of a feature.

Addiction is sad and destructive, death as a result of addiction is always a tragedy, and that more so than his talent have defined Belushi's legacy. As such its strange the movie does not delve deeper as to his talent nor his addiction, not attempting or daring to explore his singular comedic perspective(simply summarizing it) or lay any responsibility for his drug use at his feet or anyone elses.

The lesson of Belushi and so many others is that success, fame, wealth these things will not make you happy, they carry with them no contentment or satisfaction unless you already have a measure of those things. Alcohol and drugs do not enhance the artist they only serve to gradually consume them. And famous people, rich people, more so than others have little to no accountability in their lives and as such it is more difficult for them to face the reality of consequence that an addict needs to make a change. It's sad but it's not mysterious, it's tragic but it's not mythical. And Belushi seems to trade on the same old troupes, more interested in the legend of Belushi rather than the man.

Currently streaming on Showtime.

Don't See It.