Anyone considering watching End of the Century should know, before they even start, that its really aimed only at fans of The Ramones or – at the very least – people who have a significant interest in rock music and its history. People, in other words, who already know that not only are none of The Ramones actually related, but that none of them are even really called Ramone (its probably one of the few things that the legendary punk band share in common with the Righteous Brothers, who were neither brothers nor particularly righteous).
But, if you are a part of said target audience, then you should find yourself a copy of this one right now, because its a must-see. This in-depth rockumentary leaves nary a stone unturned as it tracks the career-path of the leather-clad cult favourites, from their backstreet beginnings as founder members of New Yorks 1970s punk scene, right through to the groups 1995 split, and on to the premature death of frontman Joey in 2001 and their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Directorial pairing Jim Fields and Michael Gramaglia come as close as is probably possible to being completely objective in their presentation of the film, taking their time to show both sides of every story and never coming across as gushing fan-boys. They present us with raw, insightful interviews with each of the leading players in The Ramones story, as well as talking head slots from the likes of Debbie Harry, Joe Strummer and Captain Sensible. It all comes together to form a fascinating real life tale of sex, drugs and rock n roll, which soon ditches its early background filler work to make way for a remarkably honest unravelling of how the band were gradually torn apart by conflicting personalities, power struggles and perennial in-fighting.
In the end, its perhaps fitting that this film much like The Ramones two-decade back catalogue of music is likely to go largely unnoticed by any form of wider audience. Its a professional, interesting and at-times touching piece of work, but its one that only the fans will appreciate. Theyll be well used to that feeling.