I'll Be Me

One of the most personal and emotionally powerful documentaries I've ever seen, GLEN CAMPBELL: I'LL BE ME is a tribute to a superstar and a telling documentary about the effects of Alzheimer's.

Actor/Director James Keach and Glen's wife and family allow cameras to document not only the medical confirmation of the disease, but their Final "Goodbye" Tour across the world.

The bravery of Glen and his family to launch a tour, not knowing how quickly that Campbell will be robbed of his ability to perform, is the strong undercurrent that holds up this fascinating and deeply personal film.

As they launch into the tour, cameras show moments of clarity along with the most challenging times on stage, as Campbell's fans attend to salute their long relationship with the superstar. Campbell was TV's biggest musical star of the 70's, shared the big screen with John Wayne in "True Grit" and sold over 45 MILLION albums.

Campbell was the first country star ever to crossover to pop, with the mega-hit "Rhinestone Cowboy".

While maintaining his sense of humor, Campbell shows signs of anger & impatience in equal measure with kindness & deep love for those around him.

His wife Kim is his biggest cheerleader, maintaining a brave face while sharing her fears with the camera one-on-one of losing the man she loves, while his physical presence is still at her side.

Glen's daughter Ashley and sons Cal & Shannon, accomplished musicians all, share the stage with their father on the 151 concert tour. They show great patience, love and pride every night, along with some serious talent inherited from their father.

In one concert at the Ryman Auditorium, the teleprompter goes out as the show starts and you watch the terror grow on Campbell's face as he starts to question where the lyrics are, struggling to remember what the word for teleprompter is. Thirty seconds later, the prompter is up, Campbell hits every note with perfect pitch and the show begins. Several songs later, he launches into a guitar solo that's as inspiring as it is fascinating. I watched stunned as the part of his creative brain fired on every cylinder, creating beautiful music. You're left truly considering the disease, which leaves so much of the person whole, while robbing them of so much.

As the tour nears it's 150th show, Campbell's ability to perform grows weaker and those around him realize that the approaching show will be his last.

You become part of the audience, patient with him when he is lost or confused and inspired when he finds the music.

The film is sweet, funny at times and never less than inspiring.

Glen and his family bring together old friends at the film's conclusion, several months after the last tour date, to record one last song.

The performers they gather are still considered to be the finest studio musicians of all time.

The song they create, written by Campbell, is called "I'm Not Going To Miss You".

The lyrics describe how much he loves the most important things in his life, and how he will not be able to miss them as Alzheimer's steals away his memory.

As the final version of the song plays over film clips of Campbell's career and home movies of his family and loved ones, it's one of the most moving moments of any film in my memory.

This film will become an important part of his legacy, bringing attention to the disease and the tragic impact it has on loved ones surrounding the victim.

You'll see Campbell's last interview to date. He's asked "How is your Alzheimer's, Glen" and he says "Oh it's fine, it really doesn't bother me very much. Don't you think honey?" as he turns to Kim and holds her hand. The smile and love on her face as she quietly nods in agreement is a testament to her, the Campbell family and all the families across the world dealing with the disease, including some folks very close to us.

The last twenty minutes of I'LL BE ME is heart-wrenching and deeply moving.

Campbell's music will live forever.

This wonderful, inspiring and thought provoking documentary deserves to as well. A+