The Defiant Ones is an HBO docuseries exploring the astonishingly successful careers of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. The careers of the two men have interesting turns and twists and contain a touch of defiance that made them emerge from oblivion and past upheavals to become the outstanding figures we know today in entertainment. The documentary shares the name with a 1958 movie of the same title starring Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier in which the convicted duo escaped prison and had to overcome their racial bias of their own to survive. Just like its classic namesake, Defiant Ones tells us about how a black and a white guy joined hands to achieve the incredible.
As it is usual with a lot of biography or character study documentaries, The Defiant Ones just scratches the skin on the top highlights of the two men’s remarkable breakthroughs, but never fully goes under the skin to answer some critical questions. But you really can’t find out everything.
The docuseries sheds light on Dr Dres sideline story back in the days when he was the founding member of N.W.A. This documentary is relatable with anyone familiar with the 2015 movie Straight Outta Compton only that it tells the beginning of Dr. Dre’s rise to stardom in a way that makes the story look new and inspiring at the same time. What makes this series remarkable on its side of the story about Dr. Dre is its boldness and authenticity of its presentation. Dr. Dre, his colleagues, and the family members talk about the controversies and triumphs the N.W.A encountered at its founding in the late 1980s and 1990s — the perceived notoriety of N.W.A, the violence procured at Death Row Records, the death of Tyree (his brother) — Dr. Dre has never been this bold on camera.
Then there is the legendary story of Jimmy Iovine, an accomplished producer, partner with Dr. Dre in the Beats venture and co-founder at the Interscope Records. He seems to have been destined for greatness even before starting. In fact, it is easy to overlook his darker moments. But the best and most candid insights about both the two men’s psyche come from revelations made by the many successful musicians they have worked with. Jimmy has brutal honesty in him. He says out what he thinks says U2’s Bono about Jimmy Iovine. It can look rude. That is probably the reason why lots of people do not like him. But that brutal honesty he has might be the reason you might want him to be in the room Adds Bono. At a later point, Bono says There is something deep in him that is attracted to rage. The underlying assertions in all these comments and others of the same type are that these two men thrived on a mix of hard work and a touch of stubbornness that made them reach such heights.
The Defiant Ones functions in the same capacity as a broad history of outstanding moments in hip-hop and rock taking place in a period spanning four decades. If you are an avid follower of music documentaries, you will notice that The Defiant Ones is an entertaining and inspiring docuseries worth your time. That is the big reason to watch it.
Follow Us
