As far as rock documentaries are concerned Andrea Blaugrund Nevins’ The Other F Word isn’t just a must-watch for anyone who has ever attended a Warped Tour, stepped into a Hot Topic or spiked up a mohawk and strapped on a studded belt. The Other F Word isn’t a film solely about punk-rockers-turned-dads, it is a genuinely touching look at the personal lives and sacrifices made by its subjects that provides an excellent glimpse into what happens when some of music’s ultimate anti-authority figures (punk rock singers) turn into the ultimate authority figures (fathers).
Nevins’ primary focus of the movie is Jim Lindberg, a father of three and veteran of punk stalwarts Pennywise. Lindberg struggles with how to balance having a healthy and fulfilling family life with going on the road with Pennywise and respecting the punk rock ethos he’s known his entire life. Several times during the movie it’s mentioned that Lindberg and many other modern punk icons like Brett Gurewitz and Ron Reyes are graying men in their 40s who are now parts of the establishment they have rebelled against. So how do you keep it punk while paying a mortgage, going to PTA meetings and trying to be the father figure that many of those who turned to the punk community for support never had? It’s quite an interesting conundrum.
Lindberg’s story is compelling throughout the film but Nevins doesn’t make the movie just about his struggle with deciding between his family and Pennywise. She interviews several notable punk figures including Mark Hoppus, Flea, Lars Frederiksen, Fat Mike and many others who all share their insights into what it’s been like to go from living a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle to, what one punk interviewed describes as playing the role of Ward Cleaver.
Hoppus says he buys censored versions of his own records so his kids can listen to them in his minivan. Art Alexakis tells a story about how his experiences with being abused as a child make him work to be the best father possible. And there’s a gripping story told by Duane Peters of US Bombs that will make the most hardened combat-boot-wearing punk tear up. By telling stories like these The Other F Word manages to transcend musical genres to become an emotionally powerful look at fatherhood that fans of any type of music will appreciate.
The Other F-Word opens today at the Varsity Landmark Theater and shows at 2:15 p.m.? ?4:45 p.m.? ?7:15 p.m. and? ?9:25pm?
