eden’s Reviews > Love Is Understanding: The Life and Times of Peter Tork and The Monkees > Status Update

not to be all “oh my god, this is just like head (1968)” but oh my god, this is just like head (1968). the beginning of the film, which includes footage of the execution of nguyễn văn lém, is very reminiscent of their live concert performances— or, at the very least, was a reference to them. and seeing as their “activities” were marked by the fbi for being too “subliminally left-wing”, the scene in the film could have been yet another act of resistance, especially since screen gems had always silenced and/or censored their more progressive opinions because it “wasn’t allowed” and “didn’t look good for the company.” taking those types of stances would have made them lose money. the band was trying to break free from that image of a “manufactured image with no philosophies.” and failed because, as ditty diego war chant puts it, “we know it doesn’t matter, ’cause what you came to see, is what we’d love to give you, and give it one, two, three.” gracious, i need to watch head again.