27: Gone Too Soon

This documentary about the addictions and deaths of five music legends is not only a huge downer, it's also very unsatisfying. 27: Gone Too Soon quickly abandons the idea that there's a "27 club" or there's anything about that age itself that ties these untimely deaths together, and instead it focuses on the roles of drugs, alcohol, and addiction. But it lacks focus and real insight and leaves gaping questions unasked. Its ridiculous premise, that there's something about being 27, makes it seem mostly like a flimsy excuse for industry "insiders" and hangers-on to demonstrate all they know about the lives of these five artists and to offer platitudes and pop psychology while looking for somewhere to point a finger.

Hard-core fans won't find any new information or insight here. With only a very few very brief performance clips shown, and no use of any of the subjects' own music, viewers who may not be familiar with the artists won't experience firsthand their charisma or gain an understanding of the talent that was lost. Teens who are unfamiliar with the artists will learn a little about them and possibly want to learn more on their own. At best they may at least come away with an aversion to excessive drug and alcohol use.