Director
Richard Lowenstein
(DOGS IN SPACE)

As I sat to watch this film I thought to myself; ‘what better man to direct a documentary about the enigmatic INXS front-man, Michael Hutchence, than the man who directed nearly two dozen INXS music videos as well as the cult classic Dogs in Space, starring Hutchence himself’.  Richard Lowenstein has put together an intimate portrait of a man with two personas; the confident, rocker/sex symbol and the shy, quiet thinker who just wanted to be loved.

Shying away from a traditional, interview style documentary, Lowenstein incorporates a myriad of personal photographs and private videos of Hutchence, with voice-overs from key people in his life to add detail to the already rich visual. Gaining insight from former girlfriends including; Michèle Bennett, Kylie Minogue, and Helena Christensen, as well as INXS band members and surviving family members, Lowenstein takes us on Michael’s journey from a shy, unspectacular child, to world famous rock icon, then ultimately a scared, troubled man who felt as though he’d run out of options.

There is a certain charm that emanates from this film, which isn’t surprising given its focus. There is a warmth to Michael Hutchence that draws you in, a soulfulness in his eyes that makes you want to know more. The unfortunate thing about Mystify is that aside from a heartbreaking account of an accident that may have fuelled his demise, we rarely get anything that we didn’t already know to unpack here. That isn’t to say that the film isn’t well executed, or interesting viewing; it simply isn’t in the stratosphere of similar documentaries, like the brilliantly poignant Amy.

I walked out of Mystify feeling a little nostalgic, but that was about it. Given the tragedy that is Michael Hutchence, I expected to feel more. Perhaps a man who was so intertwined with the life and career of the films subject, in fact wasn’t the best choice after all? Maybe someone with a sense of indifference could have delved a little deeper and shown a more contrasting view on the man himself. No one is perfect, but you would come out of this film believing that Hutchence was pretty damn close, which doesn’t exactly lead to compulsive viewing.

All in all, Mystify is definitely an enjoyable nostalgic stroll, just don’t expect to have your mind blown at any major revelations here.
3 stars

Moviedoc thanks Madman Films for the invite to the screening of this film.

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