Very Extremely Dangerous

Irish director Paul Duane joined forces with author-producer Robert Gordon (It Came from Memphis) for this disturbing portrait of outlaw musician Jerry McGill. After recording a single for Sun Records, writing songs for Waylon Jennings, and appearing in photographer William Eggleston's film Stranded in Canton, McGill turned to a life of crime during which he used the aliases Curtis Buck and Bill Thurman. Duane catches up with him in 2010 following his third stint in prison. Upon being released, the 70-year-old reunites with his girlfriend, Joyce, with whom he lost touch for 46 years (although she appears in the film, she doesn't allow her face to be shown). Duane tags along with Jerry, Joyce, and Jerry's friends, Paul and Doc. McGill is hardly a youngster, but his hunched frame and toothless grin make him appear even older. After receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer, he tells Duane, “I've been smoking Marlboros 50 years,” and he continues to smoke, drink, and play with guns and knives, making the filmmaker profoundly uncomfortable. Knowing that he doesn't have much time left, McGill records a few tracks at Sam Phillips's studio with members of the North Mississippi Allstars, which leads to more recording time in Florida. Returning from the studio, McGill plays a few gigs, prepares for surgery, and terrorizes Joyce—and the filmmaker—in a high-speed, rage-filled ride. Very Extremely Dangerous plays like an unfolding car crash: it's just as hard to look away as it is to watch. If Duane fails to make a case for McGill as rockabilly's great lost artist, McGill certainly comes across as one of the more memorable characters to emerge from the Memphis music scene. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)