Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars (2018)

Good concept, poorly executed.

A Disappointing Continuation

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

One of the best movies of the year! Incredible from the beginning to the end.

Why are we hearing from Jimmy's baby mama when she was only with Eric for the very early days? Surely to not have mentioned Jimmy Page as his bass playing replacement in the Yardbirds but have the same girlfriend give a long interview was by design, its fine but set the tempo of making Eric the LEGEND who stands alone & its HIS movie so thats cool but the racism stuff & drug use is all forgivable if he had real humility( helping people get sober is so awesome of me...eek) but hes one of many artists who were inspired by real Blues & went on to become their own originators of unique sound. Clapton was a blues purist in the 60s & i agree but that doesnt make him the MOST important or influential. Hes has a some legendary songs & I love his playing & loved the idea that the guitarists had a nice rivalry but I always heard Townshend praise Eric as a friend and a hero & even Pete praise Jimmy. LOTS of omissions... LOL But we gotta learn theres NO real rock & roll fraternity where the men of Axes all hang out and golf or even jam. They all seem so competitive. The fans who love these artists enough to get ripped off by scalpers deserve MORE gratitude for TOLERANCE! Perhaps he doesnt want other guitarists of their own generation to seem on his level. Theres room for so many artists. In fact more than ever now. This was great for hero worship but is as good a linear life bio as any other artist. Even if i find myself not loving him too much. He has my respect for the music...which is the legacy that lasts beyong all the decades past. Layla will be around long after Eric leaves us. Very long.....like the run time. Winning Grammys for a song about your kid dying is also sad. Glad hes hard so many do overs! He does seem happy and thats good. BB the KING sure gave him props!! So there! Oxox

Eric Clapton proves it again, he never really acknowledges who really carried him thru all the years, his fans. On that being said, I was glued to this film, especially to the rare footage and photos from the early British rock years. Great moments with all the big names from the British rock scenes. What is astounding is his minimal reference to his first solo album, work with Delaney and Bonnie, and his admiration for JJ Cale. From 461 Ocean Boulevard to Another Ticket and all in between, including Slowhand, Clapton mentions those as his "drunk years" in which he can't stand listening to the way he played on those albums because he was drunk all the time. Well guess what Eric, there are some fans out there who feel those albums are a part of their lives, whether you choose to forget that period of your life or not. Eric has a tremendous amount of work that he should be proud of. The work Eric has done in the 70's defined who he is to the American fan base. I wish he wouldn't forget it. What Eric wants to portray in his movie is quite simple, throughout all his tumultuous years, he has finally found what he is looking for; a family.

I didn't learn anything new from this documentary. It also seemed longer than it actually was, which is not a good thing.Delaney & Bonnie & Friends aren't even mentioned. This is criminal since Eric is supposedly telling his own story. The legendary Derek & the Dominos were all members of that band and that's how they met. Delaney Bramlett produced Clapton's first solo album which begat the Dominos and the All Things Must Pass sessions.Delaney & Bonnie opened for Blind Faith on their summer 1969 US Tour. Clapton liked what he saw. He was disgusted with the direction of both Cream and Blind Faith. He hopped on the more rootsy Delaney & Bonnie & Friends bandwagon for tours of Europe and the US in 1969-1970. Delaney & Bonnie were the frickin' catalyst to his new direction. Clapton and the film makers didn't even take the time to mention them once. That is an insult.I don't recall J.J. Cale mentioned in the documentary either. Weird since Clapton copped Cale's whole vibe in the 1970's.

I know I'm supposed to excuse all of Clapton's poor behavior over the years due to his drug and alcohol abuse. But the overall impression one gets from this documentary is that he's a selfish jerk, leaving a wake of destroyed relationships and obligations where ever he went. I've loved his music years, but after seeing this it will be a bit harder to enjoy it quite as much.