Morrissey 25: Live

Filmed at a small gig in LA in March 2013, this live doc celebrates Morrissey’s 25 years as a solo artist following the break-up of The Smiths. It’s a basic concert film, topped and tailed by testimonies from gushing fans. Morrissey is not exactly on top form (days later he cancelled further US dates due to illness). But even if the performances range from rousing to ropey, watching the cult of Mozza in action still offers some unintended pleasures. His backing band wear matching T-shirts and end the gig by fawningly introducing themselves, one by one, as playing ‘for Morrissey’. He passes the mic to adoring fans so they can declare, ‘You made my life complete’ or ‘Thank you Morrissey for all the life lessons you taught us’. Does he look embarrassed? Does he hell: you half expect him to nod in agreement. A few numbers – ‘Irish Blood, English Heart’, ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’ – are delivered with fire, but too often we’re witnessing messianic gestures without the accompanying miracles.