Outkast’s André Benjamin stars in screenwriter John Ridley’s (12 Years a Slave) directorial debut, a biopic of guitar virtuoso Jimi Hendrix focusing on the early stages of his career in the 60s.
A struggling back-up guitarist playing in New York clubland, Jimi gets a break when hip Londoner – and girlfriend to Rolling Stone, Keith Richards – Linda (Imogen Poots) sees him play and is mesmerised by his talent. Buying him a new guitar, she invites him into her circle, introducing him to key industry figures and bringing him to London where he makes his mark on the UK music scene, whilst also meeting Kathy (Hayley Atwell) and falling in love.
Without glorifying Hendrix (the film shows the volatility of his relationship with Kathy), Ridley has crafted a sensitive and absorbing film that is eloquent on the broader issues of the 60s, including class and racial politics, and incorporates archival footage to create a rounded sense of the time and its struggles.
But it’s the easy, naturalistic performance from Benjamin that really shines; he’s utterly convincing as the young Hendrix, charismatic but troubled, and on the brink of greatness.
