Review: In ‘The World According to Allee Willis,’ a late pop genius makes her own spotlight

As a fervent admirer of Allee Willis, I can confidently say that her vibrant, unconventional spirit left an indelible mark on the music industry and beyond. Her life was a whirlwind of creativity, resilience, and unapologetic self-expression that transcended generations.

At the pinnacle of her career, numerous record labels were keen on songwriter Allee Willis. However, she never found a connection with labels in general. A highly productive and groundbreaking figure, Willis was not only a music legend but also an artist and designer. She transformed her vibrant life into a continuous display of innovation, with generations of listeners making her songs such as “September” by Earth Wind & Fire and the “Friends” theme “I’ll Be There for You” the timeless soundtracks of our lives. (It is estimated that Willis has sold around 60 million records.)

The documentary titled “The World According to Allee Willis,” created by Alexis Manya Spraic, is now focusing on her. This work can be considered as her final piece since she passed away in 2019 at the age of 72, a year after being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Despite her passing, an abundance of self-reflective material such as videos, writings, photographs, recordings, digital files, memorabilia, art, a vibrant pink house filled with kitsch and coolness in the Valley, and numerous friends with their own stories, remain to provide this portrait with a feel of being created in partnership from the other side.

In person, she exuded an intense force that outshone her colorful wardrobe, reflecting the vibrancy of her natural energy. To clarify, she was a recurring guest at dinner parties hosted by my late friend Pauly Shore (Paul Reubens’ alias), who was one of the interviewees in the film and seemed to be connected to the project. A memory that still stands out is when one of those dinner gatherings transitioned to the karaoke bar Brass Monkey in Koreatown, where later in the night, the owner felt compelled to announce a special performance: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a first-time event here — someone singing something they composed. Here’s Allee Willis with ‘Boogie Wonderland!’

It’s clear that the event made the night extraordinary, especially considering what we learned from the movie: she had experienced disappointment in her attempt to become a recording artist in the mid-70s, an experience that propelled her into a renowned career as a versatile songwriter, rock doctor, and creative powerhouse. However, growing up with a conservative father who disapproved of her unconventional style and love for Black music made her struggle with feelings about her sexuality, which remained unresolved. Her success didn’t quench these feelings, and when she encountered the limitations for women in music, it fueled her determination to make every opportunity count, a drive that often led to excess.

Spraic interprets Willis’s extraordinary yet turbulent life as her standout solo album: The joyful moments (crafting songs, shattering boundaries, the madcap house) serve as catchy, upbeat tunes, whereas the self-questioning and unfulfilled aspirations are melancholic power ballads. Moreover, there’s a star-studded roster of friends and collaborators providing heartfelt and truthful endorsements, acting like a solid rhythm section: Cyndi Lauper, Patti LaBelle, Bruce Vilanch, Mark Mothersbaugh, Brenda Russell, Ruth Pointer, and Lily Tomlin, to name but a few shining examples.

This unique documentary on entertainment doesn’t seem to be bogged down by its numerous interviewees. Perhaps this is due to the constellation of Willis that the artist and loyal collaborator built, which shines through in each interview. To provide an emotional depth, her partner of more than 25 years, Prudence Fenton, a respected figure in the industry (and executive producer), candidly discusses the highs and lows of being with someone who is completely dedicated, constantly innovative, yet never fully open about their identity and always evolving. This sincere insight is heartwarming.

In contrast to the abundance of self-praising celebrity documentaries where famous individuals shine in tribute-like reels, “The World According to Allee Willis” stands out as a refreshing and enlightening piece that embodies what a biographical documentary should be about. Instead of merely being another ubiquitous album-sleeve credit, this documentary provides a platform for someone who was so much more than just a name on an album cover.

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2024-11-16 02:31