This film is really something of a curate's egg, good in parts. In contrast to other reviewers, I found that the main fault with it is its inability to draw in the viewer's interest in the characters and the plot. I sat through it because I'm interested in rock'n'roll and the dynamics of bands, but if I were to evaluate it purely on the basis of its merit as a movie, I would have to give it the thumbs down, with a few caveats: Jason Behr is good in the part of John Livien, and quite convincing as a rock singer; the narrative regarding his childhood trauma is unclear, although we are given hints in Livien's well-acted relationship to his parents, but his behaviour is ultimately bizarre to the viewer (which it shouldn't be). Nevertheless the idea of using a stage persona to solve inner conflicts is interesting, albeit not novel nor fully explored as a theme in this film. The allusions to John Lennon were irritating, but I confess I'm not a Beatles fan. At any rate, Livien and his band reminded me more of Oasis than the Beatles, in the sense that there was something derivative about them. Another frustrating thing about the movie was the way it opened up with some interesting - albeit middlebrow and high-school level - philosophical musings of the lead character, but left the threads of his thinking there, only to pick them up again in the middle of the film very briefly, when Livien says, "before God, there was music" (ever seen that ad for Tia Maria in the 1990s, "Before time, there was Tia Maria"? That's what sprung to mind anyway); it seems an idiotic conclusion, and the viewer has no idea how he reached it, but he's entitled to it. Fortunately his bassist and friend, played ably by Dominic Monaghan, seems to acknowledge the fallacy of this thinking when he responds "You don't know that".In all, the limited strengths of the direction and the plot could go either way on future projects, into pointless banality or into an interesting and more mature perspective.

A great opportunity for and Indy director to make an interesting film about a rock musician on the brink of stardom. It could have been a decent film if it would have dealt with John Livien's traumatic past and how it is torturing his psyche. Instead, it is a ridiculous attempt to identify John Livien's life with John Lennon's. John Livien's suicida mother's hero was John Lennon and she wished for him to become as powerful and prolific as Lennon himself. Instead of focusing on John Lennon's musical brilliance, and his wonderful ability to bare himself for others to learn something about their own life, it showed Lennon's legacy to be that of a confused, drug addicted soul, who should looked upon as a God instead a man. I am a huge John Lennon fan and this movie reminded me of another "crazy" person obsessed with Lennon, Lennon's killer , Mark David Chapman. Lennon was a man who was brutally murdered by someone else who had an identity crisis with Lennon. Do we need to be reminded of that? John Lennon gave so much to the world with his music and honesty and I was repulsed to see another disturbed person, as the main character in this movie obsessed by Lennon, and not show his beautiful contributions to the world. Yoko Ono graciously honored John Lennon's memory,by making the memorial in Central Park to give his fans a chance to pay their respects, and remember John. Instead the director of this movie chose to use that site to have the killer attempt to commit suicide. I found this so disturbing and disrespectful to Lennon's memory. He was a man of peace who died a brutal senseless death, and to see such violence near this site felt like a revisiting a terrible wound for any Lennon fan. It ruined the movie completely for me . It could have been a decent movie, but it left me with a bitter taste in my mouth. Let John Lennon, and his family rest in peace and not be reminded of his vicious murder by this irresponsible movie.

I bought my DVD because i like Jason Behr and want to follow his career. I read the previous comment and found it interesting so...after seeing it...this is mine: It's a different movie. You must stay tuned from the first second until the last one so you don't miss any important fact.You'll also enjoy it if you're the kind of person that likes very different movies, the type that you have to get into the character mind and try to think like him. If you're looking for a romantic, normal, and relaxing movie; this is not the one. It's a complete different plot, far away form Roswell or Dawson's Creek, you will see a very grown up J.B. in a very different roll...so don't be mistaken if you're hopping to see anything like that.My advise to you?, see it and get your own conclusions...but don't miss it.

I just got "Shooting Livian" in the mail, & it was every bit as good, if not better than, I expected. While everyone did a truly professional job, I have to credit Dominic Monaghan for the most colorful, believable performance, though I am bias ; ) I don't know, you just got the feeling he wasn't even acting, he was just being his usual self. He seemed easy and natural. I can really see him as Owen in another life. Loved the Lennon accents. It was little touches like that, the glasses,and the "Peace Bed", that helped make the show for me. The father was sympathetic, I liked the drummer, girlfriend, etc. Lovely soundtrack. The only fly in the ointment was Ally Sheedy, which surprised me as she is such an experienced actress. I just felt she was "phoning in" her performance. I think she could have made more of an effort.Regardless, good ending. Hopeful, realistic, satisfying, without being saccharine.Over all, I greatly enjoyed it, give it a thumbs up, & am so glad I own it on DVD : )Peace, Juli"Living is easy with eyes closed." - John Lennon "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" -- John Lennon