Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck

Name: Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck
Genre: Biography, Music, Documentary
Released: April 24, 2015
Duration: 145 min
Rating: 83

2015

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 20 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 93 Ratings

See All

7.7

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 93 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck

Now Playing: Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck

Movie Details & Credits

Home Box Office (HBO) | Release Date: April 24, 2015 | TV-MA

Summary: This authorized documentary traces Cobain's life from his early days in Aberdeen, Washington to his success with the grunge band Nirvana.

Director: Brett Morgen

Genre(s): Biography, Music, Documentary

Rating: TV-MA

Runtime: 145 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

May 1, 2015

It is a true peek into the life of a private superstar. How did he become a rock icon? How did he turn his childhood pain into art? How did his emotional demons overtake him? These are much more difficult questions for a filmmaker to answer than “Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam” or other such garbage of the traditional rock doc. Read full review

100

Sara Stewart

Apr 22, 2015

It’s his home movies with Love and baby — some playful, others drugged and drooling — that fans will find the most emotional viewing. As the credits roll, it’s hard not to just root for the sensitive, progressive, fiercely creative Cobain and wish that he’d lived long enough to find a little peace of mind. Read full review

The Playlist Katie Walsh

Feb 1, 2015

It’s a journey deep into the psyche of the tormented genius, that is as all-encompassing and expressive of Cobain's spirit as a film could possibly be. It's a true achievement, both in documentary filmmaking, and in preserving the memory and legacy of Cobain. Read full review

Kevin Harley

Apr 7, 2015

Like a Cobain mixtape brought to feral life, Montage is scruffy, sharp and insightful on an oft-explored subject. The pay-off is terribly moving – it’ll drain you. Read full review

Dennis Harvey

Apr 23, 2015

It’s all absorbing stuff, amply conveying the magnetism of a conflicted leader who drew fanatical adoration, yet who one suspects wasn’t easy company (especially in tandem with Love). Read full review

Allie Gemmill

Apr 9, 2015

What Brett Morgen crafts for his audience - in what may very well come to be known as the definitive documentary on the musician - with Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015) is simply stunning. Morgen runs his coverage of Cobain from the cradle to the grave. Read full review

Boyd van Hoeij

Feb 1, 2015

Impressive in parts, but wildly uneven as a whole. Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

duckhost

Jan 6, 2019

I've probably seen this movie 10 or 11 times by now. Kurt really helped me trough a bad time in my life and he wasn't even alive. This movie is a person study, there isn't nothing in here that doesn't say ''Why Kurt Cobain was the way he was''. This isn't to glorify Kurt but to understandI've probably seen this movie 10 or 11 times by now. Kurt really helped me trough a bad time in my life and he wasn't even alive. This movie is a person study, there isn't nothing in here that doesn't say ''Why Kurt Cobain was the way he was''. This isn't to glorify Kurt but to understand his persona and mind. If you relate with things that him did and sad you REALLY should watch this movie. This doesn't give any detail about his suicide wich is something that every movie about people that commited suicide should do. And why 13 Reasons Why is a **** piece of garbage show but anyway, if you are a Kurt Cobain fan in the first place why haven't you watched this movie yet? There are numerous things here that Kurt did that wasn't showed to the masses that are show in this movie, sure something are debatable like home video of him and Courtney having sex but I guess this is a theme in the movie. This is to me a masterpiece of a movie. And I can't give nothing but a 10. Thank you Kurt Cobain, thank you Frances Cobain and thank you Brett Morgen.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Andremax

Sep 14, 2018

Mix of Cobain's friend and family testimony and pseudo-real simulated situations worked very well on this documentary. The second one makes film even more holding and smooth watching. Worthwhile watch and know a little more about the past of the frontman of one of the most popular bands ofMix of Cobain's friend and family testimony and pseudo-real simulated situations worked very well on this documentary. The second one makes film even more holding and smooth watching. Worthwhile watch and know a little more about the past of the frontman of one of the most popular bands of all time, even you ain't a Nirvana fan.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

annbd

Aug 13, 2019

For a drama movie it is masterpiece with it’s script, scenes, sounds and all. For a documentary, on the other side, there were some details that for example in Soaked in bleach were shown. And for spreading the truth this details are important. With that in mind, the movie is a masterpiece.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Apolsc

Jul 3, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I liked the documentary, except for the Courtney Love part. She "almost cheated him" she "didnt even called the guy (it is supposed to be one of the smashing pumpkins)" and in return kurt drinks 67 pills and entered in a coma, then they go back to seattle and he kills himself, but Courtney has nothing to do with it, she is the good wife in this movie. Im not saying she killed him, but i dont like thie angle of the documentary with her, Courtney Love s only success in life is marrying a famous talented artist from all of those she went to bed with.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Sep 6, 2017

Kurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck, did not turn out to be the epic documentary that promised but it does proves to be one of the most solid in relation to the life of Kurt Cobain, in general fulfills, this can be a good approach for those who are unaware of Nirvana and for fans definitely becomesKurt Cobain: Montage Of Heck, did not turn out to be the epic documentary that promised but it does proves to be one of the most solid in relation to the life of Kurt Cobain, in general fulfills, this can be a good approach for those who are unaware of Nirvana and for fans definitely becomes a must stop.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DelTorro

May 5, 2015

Did not enjoy Montage of Heck at all, felt it was poorly edited, full of filler and to be honest the way his personal diaries, notes and home videos are laid out there for all to see is pretty horrible.

Dave Grohl's complete absence was also fairly telling too, apparently he did theDid not enjoy Montage of Heck at all, felt it was poorly edited, full of filler and to be honest the way his personal diaries, notes and home videos are laid out there for all to see is pretty horrible.

Dave Grohl's complete absence was also fairly telling too, apparently he did the interview too late to make the edit - as if we can believe that. why would we not want to hear what one third of the band that made him so famous had to say? Seems like he got cut out deliberately.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

JuliaHarms

May 6, 2015

Even though I wasn't completely objective due to my extremely distain for Courtney as well as a newfound annoyance with Brett Morgan (he just seems a bit too pompous, exhibiting an extremely righteous glee about MOH), I tried my best to watch without too many preconceived notions.
I've readEven though I wasn't completely objective due to my extremely distain for Courtney as well as a newfound annoyance with Brett Morgan (he just seems a bit too pompous, exhibiting an extremely righteous glee about MOH), I tried my best to watch without too many preconceived notions.
I've read a plethora of glowing reviews, hailing Montage of Heck as sensitive, deeply moving and genius. I disagree.
Montage of Heck was strangely disturbing to me, in a violating kind of way for the lack of better words.
The weird thing is that I cannot pinpoint why I was so **** uncomfortable during most of the movie. Was it Courtney's feeble attempt to deflect attention away from her issues, thus making Kurt the scapegoat in some of the footage, or maybe it was the films general voyeuristic tendency?
I don't know why the movie left such a bad taste in my mouth, something just seemed wrong. I do however support Alice Wheelers reaction/post about Montage of Heck and share very similar feelings about this so called "honest" travesty.… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

SEE ALL 17 REVIEWS