In a captivating two-part documentary titled “Billy Joel: And So It Goes,” available on HBO Max, the talented pianist shares the extraordinary tale of his life.
An unexpected twist for fans could be discovering that Joel’s rise to chart success was propelled by a love story. The opening chapter of this two-part narrative delves into Joel’s formative years, revealing an unforeseen romance with his ex-bandmate’s wife.
Initially, it was just another arrogant display characteristic of a rock star – filled with bravado and questionable ethics. However, this eventually evolved into a connection that would go down in music legend.
In my critique, I must admit that Part One is an immersive, nearly three-hour journey – a testament to the filmmakers’ dedication to fully exploring the subject matter. Instead of skimming the surface, we delve into Joel’s formative years, hopscotching through various cover bands before he tasted fame with The Hassles.
In a more casual and accessible style, the sentence could be rephrased as:
The rock star lifestyle aligned perfectly with his aspirations, and his exceptional talents were largely unrealized. He even dabbled in the notoriety of heavy metal, but his affection for Led Zeppelin surpassed his abilities as a rock icon.
By a country mile.
During their journey, he developed feelings for another member’s spouse within the Hassles group, but it was soon revealed that Elizabeth Weber was not an ordinary admirer. Instead, they found themselves deeply in love and shared the beginnings of Joel’s career alongside her.
Without money or much recognition, a single subpar record deal lay before him. Yet, the future Piano Man persisted undeterred, and Weber remained steadfastly by his side throughout each stage of his journey.
The movie “And So It Goes” begins in a linear fashion, which makes sense. However, it doesn’t provide insights into Joel’s early life, particularly his parents and their impact on his emerging abilities. These details are revealed later, through a heart-wrenching story about his father’s harshness.
Absolutely, beneath the radiance of the pop icon lies a hidden anguish, as well as remorse that exceeds the usual amount for a star. In the initial scenes of the documentary, Joel emphasizes that rectifying one’s errors is crucial to living life.
In a thoughtful and somewhat sentimental manner, Weber skillfully fills gaps in understanding, with support from other musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Pink, Jackson Brown, and Nas. Notably, Nas provides the most insightful interpretations, demonstrating how Joel’s artistry transcends various musical genres.
As a devoted cinephile and music enthusiast, I can’t help but rave about the captivating backstory behind Billy Joel’s iconic “Piano Man” track. It’s such a riveting tale that it justifies every penny spent on an HBO Max subscription. And let me tell you, “And So It Goes” is brimming with mesmerizing anecdotes! Directors Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin expertly deconstruct some of Joel’s most cherished songs, offering a fascinating exploration for fans and music lovers alike – a process that left me utterly satisfied.
Some snippets from the songs are strikingly beautiful, boasting captivating visuals and meticulous details. Joel infused his life stories into his songwriting, making it a double pleasure to analyze significant tracks.
One of many highlights?
Instead of bursting into laughter upon hearing a studio executive describe Joel’s 1977 album “The Stranger” as “nice” but missing a defining hit single, consider maintaining composure by expressing surprise or disagreement in a polite manner.
- “Movin’ Out”
- “Just the Way You Are”
- “She’s Always a Woman”
- “Only the Good Die Young”
- “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”
Yeah, not a hit in the bunch. Better luck next time.
And So It Goes” can feel quite taxing at times. Certain plot deviations don’t seem worth the effort, such as management decisions that might captivate only die-hard Joel fans or business students. The singer/songwriter appears genuinely kind, maintaining decades-long relationships with dedicated bandmates and showing a fair amount of doubt along the way.
As a die-hard movie buff, it’s fascinating to see that despite his down-to-earth demeanor, Joel’s unease with TV cameras hints at a layer of insincerity in his humble persona. Few pop stars exude as much expressiveness and charm as Joel does when he’s holding a microphone.
As a movie enthusiast, I can understand why some might find Part 1’s length daunting or be taken aback by its detailed portrayal. After all, he’s a rock star, not a political figure, right? But let’s remember that even in the world of music, there are lives filled with drama and depth worthy of exploration on screen.
Still, considering his cartoonishly deep songbook and music legacy, Joel deserves nothing less.
The special ‘Billy Joel: And So It Goes’ will air at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on July 18 on HBO Max, and Part 2 will follow suit at the same time, ET, on July 25.
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2025-07-18 09:03