New York Doll is a documentary about retired rocker converted Mormon, Arthur Kane of the New York Dolls. The story was at times hard to follow, but in the end the audience does develop curiosity, sympathy and empathy for the man.
Initially, the story follows Kane from his rocking and partying days to his eventual conversion to the Mormon religion. It got a little lost here, but perhaps by design. I imagine that his conversion was disorienting to his family and friends, but I felt that at times it was going to become a story of a lunatic or an anti-Mormon piece.
The movie was comprised of a lot of period interviews and found footage. I thought the content was rich and well chosen. It’s kind of an extraordinary story and I found myself in disbelief or confusion at times, but that it part of the story of Arthur Kane.
The second half of the movie dealt with preparations for a 30-year reunion of the band at a decadent gala put on each year by Morrissey. It was an especially important project for Kane for some reason, or we feel it has some special significance for him as the audience. As it turns out the party and reunion performance was a success, but just a few days later, Kane passed away suddenly. He had a form of cancer that had gone undiagnosed.
It is in the conclusion as a tribute that the documentary begins to have more cohesion and a stronger emotional connection to the characters.
The Frightful Hog of DGM 