Cobain video gets wearying

KURT COBAIN ABOUT A SON — ** — Documentary feature about late musician Kurt Cobain; not rated, probable R (profanity, drugs, violence, vulgarity, nude photos)

"Kurt Cobain About a Son" uses the late Nirvana singer's own words to tell his life story. This documentary also includes lengthy snippets from a series of previously unheard audiotape interviews with Cobain (conducted by music journalist Michael Azerrad, who originally used them for his book "Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana").

But rather than show any video footage of Cobain and the band, AJ Schnack shot images from Seattle and surroundings communities to serve as Cobain's "accompaniment." As a result, the movie feels more like a filmed travelogue.

This is just not very interesting visually, and your appreciation of this unique film may depend on your level of interest in the subject.

"About a Son" explores Cobain's childhood, delving into some of his feelings of isolation and neglect (from his largely absent father), as well as his sense of being an outsider. The movie also looks at his various artistic endeavors in a few of Washington's music and art scenes.

Since most of this material already appeared in Azerrad's book and the visuals are primarily a bombardment of Washington landmarks, it does become a little wearying. Which is not to say that the film is completely useless — it's surprising and a little amusing to think that Cobain's musical influences included the Beatles and Queen, which are drastic departures from the music of Nirvana. ("About a Son" also reveals that one of Cobain's first bands was a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute group — with his future bandmate Krist Novoselic, no less.)

"Kurt Cobain About a Son" is not rated but would probably receive an R for strong sexual language (profanity, crude slang terms and other suggestive talk), references to drug use (marijuana and narcotics), some violent imagery (including artwork), and glimpses of nude photos. Running time: 97 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com