Gary Numan: Android in La La Land, 2016
Directed by Steve Read and Rob Alexander.
SYNOPSIS :
Feature documentary charting a year in the life of electronic pop star Gary Numan as he moves from England to LA to record a new album.
A sense of mystery is key to promoting star appeal. Back in the 70’s and 80’s this was easier to create than today, what with modern celebs tweeting their opinions on every last political development while Instagramming their midnight snacks. It’s pretty tough to get some sort of unreachable persona out there these days…
Appearing as a bizarre pop oddity in the late 70’s, Gary Numan knows the precarious nature of fame better than most. Chancing upon the widespread appeal of synthesised music after playfully experimenting with a stray keyboard left in his band Tubeway Army’s rehearsal studios, Numan made the wise decision to move away from guitar based post-punk to powerful sci-fi inspired melodic synth-pop. It was a decision that proved to be wildly successful, with first Tubeway Army and then Numan as a solo artist scoring number one hits with Are Friends Electric – the title influenced by Philip K. Dick’s Blade Runner source novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? – and Cars. From 1978 to 1980 Numan was, without question, a huge star.
And then by the mid 80’s the hits had started to dry up. Numan had run up a massive amount of debt and seemed to be floating off into obscurity. But the songs from the albums Replicas and The Pleasure Principle were so popular that interest in Numan never really went away. His devoted fanbase – the Numnoids – remained just as loyal as ever.
This alternately touching and funny film is built around the story of one of those fans who went on to become his wife and mother of three children. Taking the approach that any genuine mystery about Gary (real name Webb) has dissolved since the 80’s, after tabloid story after story appeared laying bare his all too human eccentricities, the film showcases Gemma and Gary’s family life as they pack up and move to LA to start work on a new album.
Recorded in 2013, the album Splinter – Songs from a Broken Mind has been widely praised as a return to Numan’s best work. His enthusiasm for songwriting and recording is well captured and although the mystery may have dissipated, many will end up happy for the family that seem to balance music and life well. An emotional dispute and subsequent reunion with his parents as well as problems with anxiety and depression are also handled well, allowing further clues to the android’s inner world.
A diverting and ultimately positive look at one of music’s more intriguing characters, Gary Numan: Android in La La Land overcomes its slightly delayed timing – Splinter was recorded nearly three years ago – to provide a rare insight into the life and work of this durable artist.
GARY NUMAN ANDROID IN LA LA LAND is in UK & Irish cinemas from 26th August. For cinemas visit: www.numandroid.com
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Robert W Monk is a freelance journalist and film writer.
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https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published August 23, 2016. Updated April 14, 2018.
