Reviewed By-Frankie Marino
Directed By-Todd Phillips (USA)
Cast- GG Allin, Merle Allin, Dino the Naked Drummer, Chicken John, Unk, & lots of poop

In the punk scene, the word “hardcore” is thrown around and awful lot. If GG Allin was anything, he was really hardcore. Student film maker Todd Phillips is pretty hardcore too. Anyone brave enough to hang out with this nut job must be. Suitably graphic, though still a well made feature. Phillips opens with a quote from John Wayne Gacey, then moves on to GG shoving a hot dog up a gal’s ass…then eating it. The rest of the film is more or less a “normal” documentary, including interviews with Merle Allin (GG’s Brother and bassist) GG’s teachers and a GG groupie named “Unk.” Phillips has a knack for montage and perfect timing, turning some of the most reprehensible and depraved behavior into something completely entertaining and hilarious. In order to make this film, GG had to skip parole and take a bus to NY for the Murder Junkies tour. The shows on these tours last an average of 2 songs, usually shut down after GG has shat all over himself, busted his face open with the mic and the cops are called. One wonders how anyone was ever stupid enough to book these guys in the first place. GG also makes an appearance on the Geraldo Rivera show where he explains that his habit of shitting on stage is because “his body is the rock & roll temple” and his “flesh blood and bodily fluids are a communion to the people.” Makes sense.

So you say, “sure, GG eats his own poop and knocks out his own teeth, but what else does he do?” well, he also does spoken word performances. One such event ends in GG beating up a woman. Another has him unsuccessfully shoving a banana up his ass, then throwing a chair at the audience, who completely unprepared, are quickly filing out of the room. And finally, in the warmest and most touching moment of the film, GG fan Unk wants to do something special for GG’s B-day. He has a friend piss in GG’s mouth. G takes a few swallows, then pukes hot dog all over himself. (Un)fortunately, GG, who had been promising to kill himself onstage for years, died in the lame tradition of Hendrix, Morrison and Joplin with a heroin overdose shortly after this film was completed. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to stomach this film, but not only did I enjoy it, I even grew to love GG. His music was mostly crap, but he was definitely hardcore. Anyone with a dick that small who ran around naked had to be. I’m sure he had some pretty bad breath too.

The DVD release also includes footage of what would turn out to be his last show, and his last day on earth. GG gets one and a half songs in before he’s scared most of the audience away. The plug is pulled on the show, and the camera follows GG, once again covered in blood and shit as he tries in vain to get a cab. GG sparks a small riot, which gets pretty scary at times. So, maybe GG didn’t make good on his promise to kill himself onstage, but starting a riot on the day you die is pretty cool.

If you think you’re up for it, check it out.