It isn’t very clear why Peter Sillen has chosen to make a bio-doc about minor oddball artist Steven (Jesse) Bernstein — but he has, so let’s deal with it.
Here are the facts: Bernstein had polio as a child, appeared in porn movies and abused drugs and alcohol.
Moving to Seattle in 1967, he took up poetry and was crowned the rainy city’s best local poet. He was interviewed on TV, read from his work in a store window and became involved in the grunge-music scene, sometimes opening for bands.
In 1991, at age 40, he killed himself.
Sillen drags out generic talking heads who say generic things about Bernstein, a generic boho. The film might suffice if you’re looking for something to watch on cable TV some early morning. But it isn’t worth the hassle and expense of going to a theater.