The Smiths

Though it stars the Smiths bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, this look at the history of Manchester’s greatest band is nothing more than a run-of-the-mill cash-in that reeks of unauthorised content. Using interviews with critics, historians, influences (Pete Shelley), peers (Mark E. Smith, Peter Hook) and followers (Kaiser Chiefs, Suede), Inside the Smiths tells the band’s story through the eyes of everyone but the only two that matter: Morrissey and Johnny Marr. Rourke and Joyce can’t shake their disappointment even when telling wistful stories and despite the fact that they were one hell of a rhythm section, their legendary status is tarnished here. There are a few good anecdotes, like Joyce pointing out the "egg and chips diet” they were on during Meat is Murder, however, it’s difficult to get over the fact that there’s no actual Smiths music used throughout the 50-minute film. The fact that they sit down Rourke to play the bass line to "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” only goes to cement the fact that this is the kind of pitiful historical account that will ensure there will absolutely never be a Smiths reunion. Although one deluded fan/historian ends the film saying just the opposite.