SparkMore n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Kamila Bell This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Cassandra Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

brando647 I love the Doors. Considering that you're reading my comments here, you're probably considering watching the film and, therefore, must be a fan as well. I have been a major fan of the band since I was first exposed to them in Oliver Stone's 1991 film. I understand that Stone had taken some creative liberties in his portrayal of the band's life (particularly Jim Morrison, himself). Knowing that Stone's film was merely his own interpretation, I sought out to learn more through other sources. Since then, I have read Jim's poetry and a handful of biographies about Jim and the band, including John Densmore's autobiography. Morrison was a mysterious individual (probably why myself and so many others are so intrigued by him) and I believe the only person to know the absolute story behind him was Pam Courson. With Pam having died shortly after him, I'm all right with the fact that the utmost truth behind Jim's existence and experiences may never be revealed (including that of his death). My intent has always been to read as much as possible and draw my own conclusions, so movies such as Stone's THE DOORS would be seen more as entertainment than information.In 2009, filmmaker Tom DiCillo completed his biographical film on Jim and the band, WHEN YOU'RE STRANGE. Based on the information I've gathered from reading about the band over recent years, I'd say his documentary is probably one of the best representations we're ever bound to get. My only regret is that, seeing as how the film must fit into a reasonable run-time, many moments are glossed over and some instances in which I wish it'd go into richer detail are breezed through. The film covers the band's life from it's origins in the mid-60s to Jim's unfortunate death in 1971. The events are depicted impartially and depicted Jim as a struggling artist as opposed to the crazed drunk Oliver Stone would have us believe. The film remembers that Jim was going through tough times over his years with the band and compensated through his drug/alcohol use, rather than stumbled around as a belligerent idiot, and gives us some insight when possible behind his troubles.Johnny Depp narrates the film and his mellow delivery is perfect for the material. My primary complaint with the film is the lack of interviews. Despite the surviving members of the band supporting the film, we are never once treated to interviews with Densmore, Krieger, or Manzarek. In fact, the only interview included with the film is with Jim's father George and it comes in the form of a special feature on the DVD. Jim's relationship with his father (a Navy admiral) was always strained and his interview would've added some excellent insight to the film. Regardless, the film is loaded with information for the casual Doors fans and contains some fantastic footage of their concerts, TV appearances, and even behind-the-scenes footage of the band at home or in the studio recording.DiCillo's film is an absolute must for the fans and provides some great information to those who might be interested in learning more. It's a reasonable 90 minutes and never once did it bore me. If anything, it's made me want to revisit the books and dive once again into the chaos and mystery that was Jim Morrison.

A. B. I saw this movie a couple of days ago in the movie theater in its original language ( I guess it is always shown in English).The movie starts with Morrison's HWY. It follows the band in a chronological way: from Jim's childhood days, the first gigs in a L.A. club to the very first album, "The Doors", full halls in the USA and world fame, to Morrison's passing in Paris. Well it does not really end with Morrison's death, but with Morrison swimming in some river and having fun. So the ending is a more positive one.The Doors: When you are strange is carried by the bands music. Almost every song is played, not full of course. Seeing this movie made me realise that the Doors are one of the best bands together with the Beatles and Queen. It was an unique combination of four young men and everyone did his part. Also the live performance of the four, especially Morrison's one made this band big. With the music and its pictures you melt in to the movie and it easy to breath the air of this time. Some historical background information is given. The Doors are band of its time, with a rebelling youth, a new culture and music and a changing country and world. Johnny Deep does a good job, it is easy to understand him even when your first language is not English. But sometimes he lacks passion and someone who was in the late 60s early 70s in his twenties might have been a better narrator. But maybe it is because of the movie a documentary one and Deep has to tell or to read what happened. Also I wished there would be more focus on the three other band members: Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek and John Densmore. Another not so good point is that I missed interviews with the band, friends, school mates and/or family.All in all this one is worth a watch either in cinema or on DVD. I recommend this film to all fans of the Doors and other good music, fans of the 60s/70s and fans of the youth culture.

thekyles99 Well watch this companion piece along with Oliver Stone's the Doors as it shows you a lot of the actual events that transpired in the film. the movie starts with showing of what must be one of Jim's many home movies of him driving an old mustang and listening to the car radio as the announcer announces his untimely death in Paris. Makes you think what if he is still alive? i had a friend who is also a doors fan once test me by saying all the drugs and booze he put his body through???...There is no way he made it out alive. Well i simply replied have you seen Keith Richards lately...hmmm he is still around and still on stage the last time i heard and if the books i have read on the Stones are accurate he had a very daily and expensive heroin addiction going on. Tom Dicillo directs this with the awesome decision of asking Johnny Depp (mr cool) to narrate which only adds to the whole diffinity of this film. Doors live performances and background soundtrack fill in the blanks here which starts as Ray and Jim meeting at film school, to take a walk on the beach and talk about opening the doors of perception and starting a rock n roll band...little did they know how much of music history they would be writing for us. A must for any Doors fan as i am.

Framescourer It's a documentary. But, the subject being the performing career of the doors, this documentary really becomes a biopic of James Morrison. I enjoyed the film as the former but less as the latter. DiCillo makes cursory investigative inroads into why Morrison might have been the 'shaman' his bandmates allegedly took him for. Yet the connect between the culture-quake through which Morrison lived and to which he contributed is not sufficiently well investigated.The editing isn't too bad, making use of all manner of media and rough cut footage to try and give an impression of time and dynamic, rather than just illustrating the story. Irritatingly, DiCillo uses the conceit of a Morrison lookalike, tearing up the desert in a Mustang, free from his celebrity, deathless like Elvis (his hero, also unexplored). It,s unnecessary and is symptomatic of the indulgence which has clouded DiCillo's judgement. 4/10