Moonage Daydream

Documenting the life of a talent as chameleonic as David Bowie was always going to be a tall order, so it's perhaps unsurprising to see director Brett Morgen adopt a relatively non-linear approach to doing so.

Much like the song from which this film borrows its title, this is a transcendent piece that is firmly attuned to the mythology that made Bowie such a countercultural figurehead. In fact, Moonage Daydream is perhaps best viewed as a celebration of its subject's mythos.

Morgen does not dive especially deep into any specific period of Bowie's career, instead opting to present his lifework exactly as it was - a smorgasbord of influences, styles and, most of all, brilliant tunes. In doing so, he does justice to a career that was like no other.

An artist as transcendent as Bowie means so much to so many different people, which almost renders an act of tribute such as this an exercise in folly. However, Morgen - who worked closely with Bowie's estate on this project - shows a profound understanding for one of life's unwritten rules - that (in most circumstances) a life passed ought to be celebrated, rather than profusely reflected upon.

This sentiment is expressed by Bowie himself throughout the film, with the Thin White Duke himself lending his musings on life throughout the duration of the documentary. Consequently, Moonage Daydream feels like a deeply personal (and almost paranormal) affair, which of course is more than befitting of its once-in-a-lifetime topic.

Bowie may be gone, but his star continues to burn bright.