Phish: Bittersweet Motel

Todd Phillips, who helmed the lauded but discredited "documentary" Frat House and last year's comedy Road Trip, serves up a rambling, unfocused look at word-of-mouth Vermont phenom band Phish in this overlong spotlight that intertwines standard backstage patter and shenanigans with too short or too long (depending on your musical tastes) concert clips. Zeroing in on band leader, virtuoso guitarist Trey Anastasio, the flick loosely follows Phish circa 1997-1998 as they tour America and Europe, playing audience favorites such as "Wilson," "Roses are Free" and "Waste." Compared by many to the Grateful Dead (they play a socially conscious folk rock and attract a mobile caravan of faithful listeners), Phish has met mixed reviews from the critical community. In fact, the funniest and best scene revolves around a quote from an Entertainment Weekly reviewer to the effect that the band could urinate in their audience's ears and said "phans" would be happy (with one band member offering the rejoinder that listeners could get the same treatment from a New York call girl, but it would cost much, much more). Certain to appeal to the devoted, Phish: Bittersweet Motel is otherwise optional. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)