Ivy and Ellie: Stoned

Storyline: Fact-based story about the drug-addled and sordid life of The Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones. Unfortunately the story moves so quickly into the sensationalized decadence and drug-induced state of Jones, that the unknowing viewer has to wonder why anyone would care. There are only a few framing sequences with members of The Stones, particularly Keith Richards, that show they had a great respect for him and tried to bring him back into the band as he drifted away. Mixed into the destruction of Jones is a common builder, Frank Thorogood, who is given the unenviable task of trying to please Jones by rebuilding his estate and to watch him per Jones' manager's instructions. Thorogood's life is so far removed from all of the sex and drugs that he sees, that he envies and desires the tawdry life as well, but never quite fits in. Unfortunately, at least according to this film and according to a supposed death bed confessional of Thorogood in 1993... .

Leo Gregory plays Brian Jones who is living at Keith Richard's house in the movie. Paddy Considine plays the builder who gets mixed up with Jones in his last days while David Morrissey plays the Stones manager. Each character is complex and possibly just out for themselves and no one else. Honestly, Leo definitely gives a very cool yet pompous side of Jones.

Recently, I came across a forgotten film in the cheap thrills bin. I just couldn't resist. The film came out in 2005 about the long lost original Rolling Stone, Brian Jones who prided himself in the founding of the Rolling Stones. It truly gave an insightful depiction of his rocking roll life and how his death came about.

Keith Richards and the real Brian Jones in happier times.

Ben Whishaw plays Keith Richards in the movie.

Brian with his real life Swedish girlfriend Anita Pallenburg. Their relationships had a lots of ups and downs. It didn't help much that Brian was practically a sociopath. Later many critics would say Jones was bipolar.

Brian always felt they were never pop sensations like the Beatles. He did not want the band to be the Beatles. He wanted to stay true to the blues. In the movie, we don't see much of the Rolling Stones because they were busy on the road touring or making music.(P.S. I love Mick and Keith in this picture).

Truly, Brian Jones might have been a musical genius. He did like to dive to different cultures and record their music. Yet there was a dark side of him that went past the drugs. Some would say he was truly a wanker or a dickhead, especially with his friend Keith Richards who was very supportive of his band mate until he witnessed how he treated his girlfriend.