Was reading an article today that the broadcast of this documentary about Campbell’s decline due to Alzheimers set a new record for the most watched CNN film in their history of broadcasting films, with 2.76 million viewers (way more than Blackfish), so I’m sure there are plenty of CC folks who watched it. They advertised it several weeks in advance.
I think the film pushed the edge on what was comfortable for viewers to see, but it is a necessary tool for educating those who have not had to deal with a loved one with this horrible disease.
And yes, there are Glen Campbell critics for a life not so innocent, but he was a musical genius. What I found most interesting was the collection of interviews with many great musicians, speaking to his genius, but then sharing their own stories of dealing with a loved one who suffered with Alzheimers.
Glen Campbell was the very first concert I ever saw at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, when I was probably nine years old. I’m not really a country music fan (unless you count the Dixie Chicks and the Wreckers, and occasionally a little Willie Nelson), but I do have very fond memories of liking his music when I was young. So this documentary was meaningful to me.
I think it was tastefully done, with an edge to it that was meant to make people feel uncomfortable with certain scenes. Some people criticize his wife, Kim, of over 30 years, but I suspect when he got his diagnosis, they agreed on the concert tour while he was still able to make the decision. And she’s also criticized for putting him in a facility, but I also suspect that was something he pushed for early in his disease, not wanting to put undo stress on her to care for him 24/7.
Regardless of his past indiscretions, I do hope his final days are lived at peace.
People often criticize the spouse for placing a loved one in a facility-don’t they? I’d like to think it stems from not understanding caretaker stress and the difficulty of caring for someone with dementia. Sometimes it is a decision made early on by both parties and sometimes there just isnt any way to keep everyone safe and cared for at home.
Didnt watch the documentary - its simply too painful for me. I do/did love Glenn Campbells music. In fact think I appreciate it even more now than I did when it was fresh. Have him on my pandora stations.
As you witnessed his decline on the tour, it was absolutely stunning how well he could still play his guitar, even if he did sometimes repeat the same song.
My MIL has Alzheimer’s (though is in a relatively early stage - requires full time care but can be cared for in-home, still recognizes immediate family) and it upset my daughter to watch a documentary about Alz, as she takes my MIL’s situation especially hard, so we turned the documentary off after just a few minutes, but I would have liked to have seen it.
DH and I watched it and I thought it was both excellent and moving. I too was amazed at how even though he was deteriorating he was able to perform at what seemed to be a high level for the most part until the end of the tour. I actually hadn’t thought of Glen Campbell in years until seeing in the news several years ago that it was announced that he had Alzheimers and would be making his final tour. I also appreciated all the musicians sharing their insights into his talent/abilities as a musician.
I was a bit confused though as to whether or not this was the same documentary that was nominated for the Academy Award and just airing on CNN or something different.
@bookmama22 - per Wikipedia, "Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me is a 2014 American documentary film about country music singer Glen Campbell. Campbell and close friend Julian Raymond, the film’s executive producer, won a Grammy Award, and were nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for writing the film’s theme “I’m Not Gonna Miss You”.
So yes, it had been released earlier in a very limited run in theaters, but this was the television premiere.
It will be rebroadcast this Friday on CNN, for those who missed it.
Highly recommend. My father in law, and another dear friend suffering with alzheimers.
I think glenn Campbell’s legacy will be shining the light on this disease.
Extremely well made, entertaining, and enlightening. Sad, but uplifting, and inspiring, too.
I first heard people rave about it at an alzheimers support meeting, everyone there highly recommended it.
Thanks @SouthJerseyChessMom. I hadn’t gone so far as to check a re-air date. Will be letting my friends know who didn’t see it. They can at least record it and watch it at another time if they are busy with holiday weekend activities.
Taped last night and just watched. Very, very good - and I’m not a particular fan of his music - you don’t need to be to get something out of this special. They did a nice blend of medical information, him performing and routine daily life. Sad to see him declining over the course of the film.
I also thought this was a best case scenario depiction - a family with money, access to the best doctors, lots of family support, etc. For a lot of dementia patients and their families - the reality is much worse.