Provides that rarest of documentary accomplishments: a glimpse into the artists' sunny, dark hearts.
88
Boston GlobeJoan Anderman
Boston GlobeJoan Anderman
An uncommonly intimate portrait, in large part because the filmmaker, Bradley Beesley, is a longtime neighbor, friend, and collaborator.
88
New York PostV.A. Musetto
New York PostV.A. Musetto
It could turn someone who never heard of the Flaming Lips into a devoted fan.
80
Village VoiceDennis Lim
Village VoiceDennis Lim
An all-access fan's valentine as artfully scrappy and likably wide-eyed as its subjects.
80
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
In the wonderful new rockumentary The Fearless Freaks, Flaming Lips fans describe the band's live performances in almost spiritual terms, and for once, their fervor seems wholly justified.
Mr. Beesley, an Oklahoma City native who has been following and filming the Flaming Lips for 15 years, is far too close to his subject to offer a critical perspective, but he achieves a level of intimacy with the band members that most rock documentary directors can only dream of.
67
Seattle Post-IntelligencerBill White
Seattle Post-IntelligencerBill White
Ripe with offbeat Americana, Beesley's rockumentary is also a portrait of growing up in a white-trash Okie ghetto.