Life of a legend

A preponderance of talking heads normally disinclined to share the limelight can’t distract from the living legend that is BB King.

Brewer gets in enough live footage to keep things rolling and underscore Mick and Ronnie, Eric, Carlos, Bono and many more acolytes of the King’s unique guitar vibrato. Close friends and family weigh in with memories of the early days, but it’s King’s modestly massive presence at the film’s centre that holds it all together as he reminisces on a life that took him from grind to glory.

BB King: Life of Riley | Directed by Jon Brewer (UK 2012) documentary. Starts May 9