Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin’ About Him?) - 2010 - 7/10

Who indeed?
Insightful biography of Nilsson, songwriting shooting star of the 70’s.
He penned a string of monster hits (“One,” “Without Her,” “Coconut,” “Jump Into The Fire,” “My And My Arrow”) though he also punched the charts with huge cover versions (“Everybody’s Talkin’ “ and “Without You”).
Beloved by numerous musicians, including The Beatles, he reveled in success and excess.
A drinking problem and public bad behavior landed him in tabloid headlines and an early grave.
Old footage, interspersed with reminisces by wives, relatives, peers (eg: Randy Newman, Jimmy Webb, Richard Perry, Brian Wilson …).
As with similar tales, rousing to watch an artist succeed with their talents, sad to view self-destruction.