‘The Makings of Curtis Mayfield’ Review: H.E.R.’s Debut Doc Nails the Music, but Neglects the Man

by

As a gamer delving into “The Making of Curtis Mayfield,” I found the title somewhat deceptive for this intriguing documentary crafted by the multiple Grammy and Oscar-winning musician H.E.R., who seems to have taken inspiration from Mayfield’s soulful 1970 ballad “The Makings of You.” The title, with its playful reference to Mayfield’s song, gives an impression of a personal journey and suggests a revealing, albeit not exhaustive, exploration into the life of this groundbreaking artist.

However, H.E.R.’s movie, debuted at SXSW, doesn’t deliver the expected exploration. Instead, the musician approaches capturing Mayfield in an unconventional manner, focusing predominantly on discussions with filmmakers, producers, and fellow musicians. The journey occasionally offers intriguing perspectives, such as when Jimmy Jam discusses Mayfield being one of the first Black artists to own their master recordings. However, it often feels somewhat wandering and disconnected, with Mayfield the individual often getting overshadowed amidst the mix of testimonies.

For most people unfamiliar with Curtis Mayfield or those who aren’t deeply into music, the documentary might seem too specialized. However, it is sure to captivate his followers and music enthusiasts. In a sea of excessively adoring biographies about musicians, The Makings of Curtis Mayfield certainly stands out.

H.E.R. structures her documentary around the life and work of Mayfield by weaving his biography into a broader discussion about his artistry and technique. The film commences with a preliminary glance at the artist’s early years, highlighting his upbringing in Chicago and the impact that the church had on shaping his musical direction. Mayfield’s grandmother served as the minister of their childhood congregation, and he was an active member of the youth choir while also experimenting with various instruments. Remarkably gifted in music without any formal training, Mayfield narrates his own journey through selected audio clips that H.E.R. carefully integrates with archival footage, photographs, and memorabilia from his childhood, skillfully edited by Mari Keiko Gonzalez.

Following high school, Curtis Mayfield found himself at a crossroads, believing he had two options: He could join the military or become part of a band known as The Impressions. He opted for the latter, and instead of a biography, The Makings of Curtis Mayfield delves into the rich tapestry of music history. The series kicks off with The Impressions’ 1965 hit “People Get Ready,” and H.E.R. brings in Carlos Santana to share insights about it. In a voiceover, the esteemed guitarist ponders the song’s spiritual messages and its universal inclusivity. Santana’s contemplations are then followed by those of Stephen Marley, the musician and son of Bob Marley. Junior Marley speaks with H.E.R. about his father’s song “One Love,” which incorporates an excerpt from “People Get Ready,” and how Mayfield influenced his own artistic journey. The documentary largely maintains this format, with H.E.R. discussing a particular Mayfield record with another artist in an attempt to grasp the depth of his legacy.

Occasionally, “The Makings of Curtis Mayfield” seems like a conversation on Hrishikesh Hirway’s podcast/Netflix show “Song Exploder”, where musicians share the stories behind their songs. However, instead of Mayfield himself discussing his tracks (who passed away in 1999), artist H.E.R. gathers a diverse group of artists for this discussion. The in-depth nature of these discussions, whether delving into the Civil Rights themes that fueled Mayfield’s music or the falsetto voice that brought it to life, reminded me of Questlove’s filmmaking style in “Sly Lives! (aka the Burden of Black Genius)”. In this documentary, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year, Questlove passionately discusses the distinct components of a record that made Sly’s music timeless.

H.E.R shows equal excitement and respect towards her collaborators, finding a unique link between them and Mayfield’s legacy. For instance, she points out that Maxwell’s voice on “Pretty Wings” shares similarities with the “Superfly” singer, or discusses with Dr. Dre (who unfortunately receives significant screen time) about the choice of percussion or the use of the wah-wah pedal in the Superfly track that Mayfield recorded for Gordon Parks Jr.’s movie adaptation.

It’s a pity that the documentary, “The Makings of Curtis Mayfield“, doesn’t delve deeper into the life of Curtis Mayfield, its subject. While an overabundance of biographical details can make a music documentary feel formulaic, a judicious amount can enhance it. Including more insights about Mayfield’s activism (such as the fact that several radio stations banned The Impressions’ 1967 song “We’re a Winner” out of fear it would incite riots) or his journey to establish his own label could have smoothed the abrupt shift towards the end of the film, where stories about Mayfield’s near-death experience, marital life, and children are presented. These elements disrupt the traditional focus on the work in a documentary, leaving viewers with more questions than answers at the end.

Read More

2025-03-14 21:55