The U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006)

Focus: Lennon's life during the late sixties and seventies when he became more politically active, lived in New York, and perceived by the US government as a national threat.

It's all in the tagline: Musician. Humanitarian. National Threat.

I'm about to say a lot of things that are going to sound ridiculously stupid and fangirl-esque, so allow me a brief explanation. It's been a long time since I saw a documentary with a positive focus. I've grown accustomed to polemic, one sided stories like Fahrenheit 9/11 or Outfoxed. Even something like Control Room, which presented a different side of the story than we normally get, still only presented one side of the story.

In that respect, this doc is no exception. Only a handful of interviewees are offered the opportunity to defend the US, and most of them end up looking ridiculous in the process. Co-writers and co-directors David Leaf and John Scheinfeld are smart enough to give the "experts" enough rope to hang themselves -- and I'm not saying that they put words in any one's mouths -- but we can see that Leaf and Scheinfeld aren't going for balance.

Nevertheless, the doc is compelling. It's a wonder what went on behind closed doors in Washingston when they decided that deporting John and Yoko would be their best move, and the Lennons refusal to take the situation lying down is as encouraging as it is challenging.

There is another thread to this movie that is heart wrenching - the love story. I'm too young to know how John and Yoko appeared to the outside world. I never thought Yoko broke up The Beatles. In fact, from what little I've known of her, I've always kind of had a soft spot for her. She seems so effortlessly cool, and she seems to have effortlessly weathered being the mouthpiece and collective memory of a lost legend. I think may be in awe of her.

And, oh, to see their bed-ins for the first time. To watch them waltz through Central Park. To glimpse how over-the-top and absolutely they were in love. It's truly touching.

Love story aside, the doc drags in parts. It's still pretty darn good. B+