- Year: 2013
- Genre: criminal, drama, music, romance
- Director: Rendall Miller
- Cast: Alan Rickman, Rupert Grint, Johnny Galecki, Ryan Hurst, Freddy Rodriguez
- Plot: A look at the New York City punk-rock scene and the venerable nightclub, CBGB.
CBGB is a vibrant and nostalgic musical drama that tells the story of the legendary New York club CBGB and its founder, Hilly Kristal, poignantly and masterfully portrayed by Alan Rickman. The film unfolds in the 1970s, during a time when New York’s music scene was undergoing revolutionary changes. At the heart of the story is Hilly, a former manager and musician whose dreamlike and somewhat indecisive character becomes the driving force behind the creation of this iconic venue that would forever change punk rock.
At the beginning of the film, Hilly seems like a man constantly searching for himself. His idea is to create a club for “Country, BlueGrass, and Blues” — hence the name CBGB. But in reality, the club becomes a haven for young, unrecognized musicians eager to express their emotions in a raw and unpolished style. Hilly gives them a chance, even though they don’t always fit his original vision of musical genres. He believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, and it is this belief that changes everything.
The film depicts the chaotic, often anarchic life of the club, where everything seems unpredictable. Early performances by iconic bands like The Ramones, Blondie, Television, and The Talking Heads are shown, bands that would later become symbols of the punk movement. The audience watches as they take their first steps on stage, often timidly, but always with a passion that ignites the crowd.
Rickman brings an effortless yet profound style to his portrayal of Hilly. His character feels simultaneously skeptical and touchingly naive. Hilly is not a great businessman, and often acts intuitively, even chaotically, making decisions that seem risky. He constantly faces financial difficulties, problems with the police, and absurd situations arising from the very spirit of the club. Yet, in the midst of this chaos, he maintains his kindness and belief in the power of music.
At the same time, the film shows that the creation of CBGB was not just a romantic adventure. It was a struggle. Hilly had to contend with constant failures, a lack of money, and his own impractical nature. Yet despite all of this, he managed to create a space that became the heart of a revolution in the music world.
CBGB is not only the story of the club but also an ode to the people who believed in their dreams. Hilly Kristal, as portrayed by Rickman, appears as a simple yet incredibly stubborn hero, whose kindness and willingness to take risks created a cultural icon. The film ends with the sense that the legacy of CBGB is not just music, but a spirit of freedom that will forever live on in those brave enough to be themselves.
