Wham!

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Did I need a Wham! Documentary in my life? I didn't think do, but turns out I was wrong. Now let's be clear I wasn't a Wham! Fan. I did grow up in the 80s, but I don't think there's a single Wham! Song I like. So why on earth am I watching this? Well partly the power of Netflix marketing and partly that I do enjoy a good documentary. And this is a good documentary. It doesn't break any moulds, the format of tons of archive is fairly standard now, but there is a wealth of stuff here that takes you right back to the era with nailed on authenticity. Two high school mates, fooling around with music, playing, experimenting. Nothing much else to do and plenty of social discord to feed off, as they muck around with home demos. What's obvious though is they've got talent and drive and in George (or Yog), a great charismatic singer. 'Wham Rap' still leaves me cold, but hey at least there was some substance to it and in 'Careless Whisper', although it's pure schmaltz, it's pop potential really does smack you in the face. What's interesting now, watching in 2023 is the reliance they had on the record industry to be given a break. No social media or accessible DIY scene. Young George and Andrew aren't work shy, putting in the hours on dingy club tours, but it's a lucky break getting the chance to fill in for a no show on Top of the Pops and from there things go nuts. It's all about the look. It's the 80s after all. Pretty boys (plus the two girls) and a dance routine what more do you need? Nothing apparently. The hits keep coming, charting every single. There's no talking heads and most of the narration comes from Andrew Ridgley, stock filling in where the archive gets sparse, but there's plenty from George Micheal too, these parts beautifully edited to make it feel like he's been part of the production with the two friends still bouncing off one another. No more so, than when the subject of George's sexuality comes out. How he handled it or rather didn't. His realisation that he was gay, at a time where that was still an issue in a Conservative British society. Instead of being excepted as it would be today (in music at least), it's repressed and hidden. Overshadowed by the critical punches they took as their pop star rose. Screaming teenagers taking over as they go on tour, they play up to it, leaving by what I'm sure are the front doors of Manchester Apollo (58:50) in towel robes, when they could've snuck out the side door. It's the era of Whamania and they admittedly love it, sticking their faces on merch... and making sod all money. It's details like this that make documentaries on subjects you didn't think you cared about interesting. Because you don't know everything and often because you've not paid attention and dismissed something, you've not realised there's more meat on the bone. So we wind through the sordid issues or dodgy record deals, the band creative separation, ambition and two people on different paths. Ridgley talks openly and candidly, as much of the story becomes commanded by George. It's to Ridgley's credit that he drives this so well. It's a love letter to a lost friend. Am I a converted Wham! Fan? No, not at all, but I'll admit more respect for George Micheal and Andrew Ridgley, what they did and how they did it.

I had been waiting years for a WHAM movie and this did not disappoint. A documentary that focused on the friendship behind the music. Comprised of chronological footage of Andrew and George's rise to success, narrated in their own words. It was very nostalgic to hear all the tracks that I grew up listening to and still resonate forty years later. It was also heartwarming to see how much one can accomplish when surrounded by a great support system. Too often biopics focus on the scandals and ultimate downfall of those who enter the music industry. This film honored the memory of George Michael and the legacy that WHAM's music left behind.

Wham! Is a Netflix documentary that tells the amazing story of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the British pop duo that conquered the world in the 1980s with their catchy and upbeat songs. The film is directed by Chris Smith, who has a knack for making entertaining and insightful documentaries about cultural phenomena. The film is based on archival footage, interviews, and personal materials from both Michael and Ridgeley, who share their memories of their childhood, their rise to fame, their creative process, and their decision to end Wham! At the peak of their popularity. The film also features appearances from other pop icons of the era, such as Bananarama, Bono, David Bowie, Boy George, and Elton John. Wham! Is not only a nostalgic trip down memory lane, but also a touching tribute to the friendship between Michael and Ridgeley, who remained close until Michael's death in 2016. The film shows how they supported each other through the highs and lows of their career, and how they balanced their different personalities and ambitions. The film also reveals some surprising facts about Wham!, such as their groundbreaking concert in China in 1985, and their involvement in social causes such as Live Aid and Band Aid. Wham! Is a must-watch for fans of Wham! And George Michael, but also for anyone who enjoys a good music documentary. The film is full of humor, emotion, and energy, and it will make you want to dance and sing along to Wham!'s timeless hits. Wham! Is a 10 star film that celebrates the power of music and friendship.

There isn't anything particularly revelatory about this 2023 documentary about the definitive '80's pop duo, but it's a mostly effective retelling of their successful albeit brief track record on the top of the charts. What appears reassuring was the genuine friendship depicted between George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. And how George's mercurial talent as a songwriter and performer quickly broke the pair apart professionally. If there were ugly moments between them, you won't find evidence of them here. Director Chris Smith took a more vanilla approach and used audio-only interviews with George and Andrew to narrate most of the story. Since George died tragically in 2016, Smith apparently didn't want to lean too much on a present-day Ridgeley to have the final word on their story. The still-catchy music speaks for itself.

Lots of interesting facts and visuals but also a lot of opinion. No one really knows Andrew yet the film states numerous times that if it weren't for him, George would have languished in obscurity; t's clearly being told from Andrew's perspective. Anyone deeply familiar with the nature of a true artist knows they can seem shy and introverted but inside they are too alive to reveal to an average onlooker. There is a burning passion that finds a launching pad one way or another. For George, Andrew played that role. But it would have been someone or something else otherwise. Looking at him here, we might admit he clearly seemed gay even while we can't deny his appeal to both sexes. But in that era the world didn't have the hyper-awareness it has now. And truly it's not as obvious as we like to give ourselves credit for. They thought MichaelJackson was and that Rock Hudson was not. But I do think revealing it is a choice between prioritizing your fleshly desires or your fame and art. Everyone whose come out, without exception, has lost their fame to some degree. But most famous people are lonely, not just those in the closet. Andrew makes it sound here as tho he choose to bring Wham to a close so GM could be free of the responsibility to the band and it's secks-symbol image even tho Michael had clearly outgrown him. I enjoyed this documentary and that it focused on the band and George without stooping to a bunch of gossip and negativity. Very nice memories of the 80s here. Definitely worth the watch but probably could have been more detailed. Thanks to Andrew for making this documentary a reality. Well done tidbits on GM's beginnings.

I absolutely loved this documentary. I don't watch a lot of pop-culture or celebrities documentaries, but this one was very watchable and informative. I'm not huge fan of Wham! ( I might be after this. ) Although I wasn't big fan of them, they were ove huge part of my childhood and I also would listen to some George Micheal songs here & there. During the documentary, I got to know a lot about them like how when they met, how they manage to get record label, they're adventures in the music industry, and the documentary also went in perspective in their lives. The documentary is fantastic! 100/10.