valis1949 THE MAYOR OF SUNSET STREET (dir.George Hickenlooper) provides a provocative and in depth analysis of Rodney Bingenheimer, one of the most influential pop-music media figures of the last 40 years, yet for all of his power and influence, the man seems lonely, adrift, and somewhat shattered. Hickenlooper overwhelmingly makes the case that Rodney was at the very epicenter of what was 'hip' for many decades. However, by the end of the film, one wonders how such close access to wealth, celebrity, and mass adulation would gain Rodney so very little. It is both sad and ironic that a man who's impeccable taste brought joy to millions of music fans would end up in such a melancholy situation. THE MAYOR OF SUNSET STREET is a strikingly original portrait of a rather doleful individual.

ka8ddz I really enjoyed the Mayor of Sunset Strip, although for me it was more self help than a documentary, reminding me of how much there is in the world to see and accomplish in our short stay on the planet.This is the story of Rodney Bingenheimer a KROQ DJ who spends his entire life chasing celebrity, being a part of the in crowd, and hanging out with the who's who of rock and roll.The history of the bands, their stories, and their lives are interesting to most people and this movie certainly has that. Many documentaries of this genre show the high life and the drama leaving you feeling like you wish you could have been a part of it. In this movie you're left feeling happy you left it all behind in your teenage scrapbook, grew up, and have a career.Watching Rodney ride the coat tails of fame in the music industry left me feeling empty and pity. During an interview with Cher, not unlike some of the others, you see Rodney almost coaching her through the conversation having to remind her of things they once did or said, events and conversation she has clearly long forgotten or wasn't sure ever happened in the first place. This facade of a life is brought to a head when Rodney proposes to that special girl in his life.For someone who makes his living behind a microphone Rodney appears boring, and lifeless in many scenes. His conversational skills are are childlike, without substance, and revolve around meeting a celebrity. Rodneys friend Kim Fowley who handed him the reins of Mayor takes a much more aggressive response to his own history but in similarity leaves you feeling like neither of them would have anything to talk about if it weren't for the celebrities they have met.What I saw was man who never found himself but rather lived vicariously through others and ends up with a shell of a life spent remembering when, while everyone else moved on. I never felt like I got to know Rodney from this movie, never seeming to have an opinion of his own but rather following the Hollywood standard of whomever is in the limelight at the time is great and creative and genius, and how cool it is that I've been photographed with them. It made me feel sad that someone could place so much importance and in essence build a life on such trivial things like an autographed record or a brief meaningless conversation with celebrity.In closing, I think this movie offers a unique perspective on the life of DJ Rodney Bingenheimer and it was very interesting to watch.

marymorrissey spoilers this film had a really annoyingly fatuous quality as it smugly attempted to portray RB as a tragic figure because he ain't rich, and has no offspring or real estate. a particularly disgusting moment comes towards the conclusion when the filmmaker asks Rodney "well will this film have a happy or sad ending? it's up to you!" as if anything let's face it not terribly articulate RB could say could possibly compensate for this reductive, extremely condescending hatchet job borne of the choices made by the director. a nauseating example of "documentary"!

Raleigh_St_Clair This was an excellent movie that shows that the happiness of that comes with a celebrity life-style is a very thin veneer covering something empty and sad. Rodney Bingenheimer is an LA disc jockey who has introduced many major musical acts over the last 25 years, including David Bowie, The Ramones, Coldplay and more. His 'friends' include Bowie, Cher, Nancy Sinatra, Debbie Harry (Blondie), and a multitude of other celebrities.What begins as an amazing story of essentially a street kid who became a famous disc jockey, quickly becomes a sad story of a man who has given a lot more to an industry and to people than he has gotten back.This is a great film. The movie makers did a great job in getting the feelings of the people across and shows Rodney's very sad, almost upsetting existence. The movie does have a lot of funny moments. Great movie – go see it!!!