Quincy (2018)

"Melody is king, and don't you ever forget it. Lyrics appear to be out front, but they're not; they're just an accompanying factor. If they're good, you're really in good shape. Lyrics are written to be rewritten." -Quincy Jones

What a strange meta-documentary?  Half is self-serving subjectivism of the subject. Quincy Jones is in control of Quincy Jones's bio-documentary. The other half is under the control of Rashida Jones, his daughter. My read was that she wanted to capture her father on tape for posterity and as a sort of living mirror.  Quincy is slowing down, and here is her chance to have him comes to terms with that. 

So I am unsure what to believe as truth in Quincy. Q likes Q to be positive. Rashida is reticent to unvarnish his reputation, -in terms of the music. The only thing I take as truth is the timeline. If you were looking for a biographic documentary that is overwhelmed by the near Ceaser-esque productivity of its subject, look no further.  I firmly believe that Quincy Jones was/is a tremendous musician, composer, and performer. It's like 2 hours of hearing "ohhhh he wrote that, too!" from everyone  watching.   Hats off to Q and his ridiculous quantity of successes. 

The one part of the film that seemed wildly, if not stagedly, honest were the sections on the family regrets of Quincy.  It's difficult not too feel that somethings are left unsaid, but that to give so much time to his failings as a husband and how his need to work overwhelmed his children is a rather wrenching decision. 

On the whole I recommend Quincy. Enjoy the music and the history lesson. Be changed by his life lessons. 

3.6 out of 5 stars.