Paul McCartney: Man on the Run - a review

As a McCartney "scholar", expert, writer and author (or whatever you'd like to consider me), who had the chance to work with MPL a few years ago and who offers such details about Paul's music in my volumes, I guess it's time for my take on the new film Man on the Run.

Some may argue that there is too much left out or overlooked for hardcore fans: no mention of certain albums, only brief glimpses of footage, and details that do not necessarily represent events accurately (such as the old Band on the Run story about two Wings members leaving the day before – we know it was different). However, let's remember that this is a narrative and the film will be part of Paul's legacy, offering his final perspective on such an important era.

I’ve heard some “complaints” about the fact that Wings are not really presented as a band in their story. I hear you, Wings fans! You witnessed an incredible era when the group was perceived as such. But let's face it: Paul McCartney is a giant, and it's his name that will remain in music history. After all, the film is called "Man" on the Run.

The documentary is very personal. It even addresses some of Paul and Wings' least brilliant moments (the pittance the members were paid, their personal struggles, drugs and the harsh reviews of their records).

His marriage to Linda, their children, his relationship with John, the breakup of The Beatles, his attempts to achieve comparable success with Wings (from the University Tour to Wings Over America, passing through Band on the Run), the Japan incident, John’s death: these are the things that McCartney considers the most important of his "long decade" (1969–1980), and he wants to remember them.

There’s a man behind the music, and that man shaped the music we all love so much.

Personally, I would have included more unheard music and footage. It would have been the perfect opportunity to include some RAM demos, since the narrative focuses so much (and rightly) on the homespun quality of McCartney’s rebirth. The footage from Scotland is breathtaking anyway, and it's brilliant, genuine, natural.

Anyway, we are treated to unreleased music, such as slightly different takes of “Mama’s Little Girl” and “Listen to What the Man Said”. It seems to me that the former features a different vocal part, and the latter has different sax slurs – is it Tom Scott’s second take?

In purely musical terms, the “Morse Moose” bit, where Paul waits for his vocal section to begin and then delves into it with his raspy, screaming tone, is probably the most outstanding moment. I found the unheard take of “All of You”, with Paul talking about his mother in the background, very emotional.

Is Man on the Run worth it? Yes, and I will rewatch it many times. Do we need a director's cut? Yes. With Paul McCartney, it's always about wanting more. And it won’t be soon enough...

P.S. If you need some serious in-depth analysis of Wings' best music, please check out my recent volume Back to the Egg: The Story of Wings’ Last Album