Blur: No Distance Left To Run

VH-1's Behind the Music missed a real gem by not securing the rights to Blur's story. While drugs, alcohol and sex-crazed violence may not be as prevalent in the same manner as, say, Mötley Crüe's tale, this documentary shows the English band's rise, fall, split and resurrection in a very poignant and endearing fashion. Named after the heartbreaking single from their sixth album, No Distance Left To Run follows Blur's 2009 reunion stint, documenting not just their handful of comeback gigs but also the band's history, with in-depth commentary. Using warts-and-all interviews, each band member gives a detailed account of their years together and where it all went right and wrong. For example, estranged guitarist Graham Coxon admits he actually hid from front-man Damon Albarn in public following his departure, and Albarn abashedly points out that after the success of his animated super-group Gorillaz that "Blur wasn't important anymore." The candid interviews are just the tip of the iceberg, however. Southern and Lovelace were granted access to all sorts of unseen footage, including early Blur gigs, the band taking in the dog races for their Parklife photo shoot and a touching moment of Albarn crying on stage at their triumphant 2009 Glastonbury Festival performance, which he regards as "as beautiful a memory as I'll ever have." Plus, there's everything else in between: becoming heartthrobs during Britpop's conquering of mid-'90s culture in the UK, the regretful, tabloid-heavy beef with archrivals Oasis that nearly ruined them, and first-hand accounts of the strained friendship between Albarn and Coxon. No Distance Left To Run doesn't answer any questions as to what the future holds for Blur, but it doesn't seem very optimistic. If they have, as Damon once sang, made it to the end, at least we have this stunning monument to remember them by. As an added bonus, a full-length video of Blur's triumphant performance in London's Hyde Park is included on a second DVD, giving one last look at the greatest British band of the '90s going out on top by performing a set of hits to 50,000-plus fans. It really is the next best thing to actually being there.