In 1994 the world was stunned to learn of the death of Kurt
Cobain, one of the leading founders of the grunge rock movement. An apparent
suicide his death affected tons of fans, some going so far as to follow in his
footsteps and kill themselves by shotgun blast. But what if that wasn’t the
truth? What if Cobain didn’t actually commit suicide?
That’s the premise for this documentary that combines
interviews, taped recordings and re-enactments to offer up another scenario as
to what might have happened. When the movie is over you’ll be scratching your
head as to why no one has done more to investigate this death. Before thinking
that they already investigated it once I’d suggest you watch this movie.
The movie is based mostly on the investigation done by Tom
Grant, a private investigator hired by Courtney Love, Cobain’s wife, prior to
Cobain’s death. While she hired him to track down Cobain things seemed fishy
from the start, enough so that Grant began taping the conversations, both live
and on the phone, with Love. An ex-police officer, Grant had the feeling that
things were not as they appeared.
To begin with, as depicted here, Love did not seem to be the
distressed wife that one would expect if her husband was suddenly missing. Her
responses to questions about locations he could have gone too seemed vague and
certain spots she said he couldn’t be at seemed odd to Grant. Her nonchalant
attitude didn’t sit well with Grant and while he was working for Love and other
pieces of information she provided him didn’t jibe with his investigation. That
she sent a heroin addict to assist him in his investigation also made him
wonder what was up.
On top of that there are questions that revolve around the
way the case was handled by the police at the time. Clues at the crime scene
were ignored as officers jumped to the conclusion that this was a suicide and
nothing more. That there could have been a murder set up to look like a suicide
never crossed the minds of the officers in charge of the investigation. Looking
back the police chief at the time now thinks the case should be re-opened.
Forensic experts are brought in to discuss various items in
the death of Cobain. Looking over the information gathered from the crime scene
as well as reports filed at the time almost all think that this was not a
suicide. But without all documentation provided to them a final conclusion
cannot be offered. As each one appears to discuss what they have looked at the
question of why these things were not discussed in 1994 keeps rearing its ugly
head.
Movies can be manipulative, especially documentaries. When
you begin with a theory you think you have the answer for you tend to twist the
facts to suit your ends rather than following the facts to find the end. There
is that possibility with this film. But as I watched I became more and more
convinced that there was something being hidden about the real death of Kurt
Cobain. Perhaps it was a murder and he didn’t commit suicide. If so, who killed
Cobain? But there is the possibility that he died of a heroin overdose. If so
then the suicide was staged but for what reason? With the millions in royalties
on the line for his heirs there was motive for any and all possibilities. That
he was talking about divorcing Love also comes into play.
The odds of us ever discovering the truth are very slim by
this time. Without access to the physical evidence at the time it makes
discovery less likely to happen. Innuendo and supposition can only get you so
far. And here, over 20 years since Cobain died, what we are left with are more
questions than answers. If you’re a fan of Nirvana and Cobain then you’ll want
to see this movie. If you enjoy documentaries you’ll want to give it a watch.
And if you love a mystery then you’ll definitely want to watch. While the truth
may never be known the discussions as to what really happened will never end.
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