(CHEERING)
You can be more than just another Australian pub band.
Shut up. Listen.
Oh, my God. He did it. We did it! We're on the radio!
(ALL CHEER)
We've made it, boys. We're on 'Countdown'.
We got you a three-month tour of the US.
(ALL EXCLAIM)
'Original Sin' just went number one in France.
Number one?
We are number one!
I missed you.
I can't just sit around and wait for you.
Do you have a boyfriend?
No.
Kylie. Kylie.
I don't know whether to ask you to lunch or have sex.
What?
You are right near the top of the mountain.
We need an entire album of hits.
Best album we have ever done.
PolyGram hates it and Atlantic won't release it.
The kids will get this, Kim, and we're going to play it live,
right in their faces.
'Kick' has gone four times - four times platinum.
You outsold Michael Jackson. You outsold Guns and Roses. 'Kick'.
Do you have a goal in life?
Yeah.
To die laughing.
(PHONE RINGS)
RECORDING: Hi, you've reached Kirk's place.
-You know what to do. -(BEEP!)
Hey, Kirk, want to come by the hotel for a drink?
I am...wide awake.
Yeah, give me a call.
(WATER RUNS)
Oh!
(HALF-LAUGHS)
(CROWD ROARS AS BAND PLAYS)
# The devil inside
# Devil
# Da-da-da-oh!
# Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
# Na-na-na-na-na
# Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
# Na-na-na-na-na... #
(WAILS)
# Devil inside. #
(CHEERING DIES AWAY)
(LAUGHS)
People call me pessimistic. They do.
But I've always thought that the best time for a band -
and you never hear about this -
is before the record companies, before the fame.
'Cause once you achieve success,
once you've reached these goals...
..you lose something.
A little bit of you starts to die.
We've had a bit of a band meeting.
Really? No shit?
We've been touring pretty much nonstop for the past two years.
"Good to see you, Chris. How are you?"
I'm fine! Thanks for asking.
It's taken us 10 years, six albums,
over a million miles on the road,
but we've made it to the top of your mountain.
-It's not my mountain, Kirk. -And now we want time off.
We want time for life.
"Time for life"? Wow! Did you come up with that?
After your "time for life", Tim,
your fans may not be there when you get back.
-They'll be there. -How do you know?
You've gotta be kidding me. You don't stop now!
Look at us! Jon can barely walk.
Kirk wants to see his daughter, I want to see my kids.
He's going around dressed like that,
calling himself Fabien Sparkle, for fuck's sake!
-We need a break! -Do you all want this?
Me and Garry are OK to keep going,
but we'll do what everyone else wants.
Guys, think about it.
Once you get to the top, you don't stop, you go harder!
Look at Madonna, look at U2 - they keep going!
You've got to do Europe again, then Asia, back to America...
No!
Andrew, there are a dozen bands waiting to take your place.
I'm not...Bucky Beaver, just here to entertain you!
I'm normal. I need a life.
You know, crazy people
are always the first to say they're normal.
Shut up!
We're not going back on the road.
We're taking a year off.
(INTRO TO 'BY MY SIDE')
"He said, 'Keep your belt on,'
"and began by slowly tearing the dress from around it.
"He loosened her hair from her shoulders,
"and she stood there naked except for the silver belt.
"Should could not wait. She was moist and trembling.
"She tried to open his pants."
This is going to be terrible, you know.
(LAUGHS) Michael...
# In the dark of night... #
-(CHEERING) -# By my side
-# In the dark of night -# By my side
# I wish you were I wish you were... #
Go round, go round. Get Jonny. All three angles.
I want to see a koala. It's my last day here.
-I'm with my family. -I want to see a koala.
-Will you stop filming? -(LAUGHTER)
Turn it off.
You hear me? Off!
OK, thanks. (HANGS UP PHONE)
We got the cover!
I gotta call you back, Bill.
Are you sure? The cover?
But, Chris, they don't want the guys, they just want Michael.
(SIGHS)
I can't promise them that.
It's the cover of 'Rolling Stone'.
-Just like the song. -I know.
Jagger was on the cover alone.
I know!
Oh, shit.
So that's the way it is. They want Michael or no-one.
Now, from a strictly business point of view, makes some sense,
but it's your call.
Fuck 'Rolling Stone'. We're a band.
-It's all of us or no-one. -Thanks, mate. Appreciate it.
-Yeah, thanks, Michael. -You know me.
I hate having my picture taken.
(ALL LAUGH)
So, are you all ready to get back in the studio?
(ALL TALK AT ONCE)
Guys, come on! You've had your year off.
Everybody's waiting for a new album.
I'm ready, Chris, just so you know.
-(KNOCK AT DOOR) -Yep. I said five minutes.
MICHAEL: I can wait.
Hey.
There's a rumour going around about you.
-Do I want to hear it? -No, it's not about Kylie.
They're saying that you're working with Ollie Olsen
on an album without the guys.
-And who's saying that? -Everyone in Melbourne.
I missed you.
Yeah, not according to 'New Idea'.
I missed you too.
Hey!
What are you doing with Ollie?
The band gets really successful and you go indie.
Do you want to hear it?
It is called 'Max Q'.
You knew I was making it.
Why did you let me do the album
if now it's a big fucking problem?
I thought, "Great, get it out of your system."
But you can't play live with those guys.
If I don't tour with Max Q, nothing will happen.
-You can't do it, Michael. -Everyone did stuff.
Andrew produced 'Shiver'. Garry played with Absent Friends.
But none of them made a solo album
that is now showing on MTV.
-It is not a solo album. -And singing without INXS.
That's the big fucking problem.
Now, like it or not, Michael, you're a brand now.
What does that mean?
That means that INXS is part of a culture.
You start breaking that culture, your fans get nervous.
Now, be sensible.
Solo never works when you're in a hit band.
Look at Jagger with 'Primitive Cool'. It sold three albums.
'Max Q' is good.
'Max Q' will buy you a cup of coffee on Oxford Street.
INXS makes you millions.
What the matter? You want more street cred?
Oh, come on, mate. You're not Nick Cave.
-Murphy knew? -And Tim.
And Garry.
We thought you'd be angry. That's why no-one told you.
I'm not angry, I just wish
you'd brought those 'Max Q' lyrics to the band.
They're really good.
No-one bought the album.
They're all screaming at us to write a new one.
It's like we got the world's attention with 'Kick'.
-You got any ideas left? -Yeah, course I do.
Murphy says we'll have to go on tour again.
I hate going on tour.
This time he promises it'll be different.
('SUICIDE BLONDE' INTRO PLAYS)
# Don't you know what you're doing?
# You got a death wish
# Is that it?
# Suicide blonde
# Suicide blonde... #
I said I didn't want to be on camera, and you've got three.
Hey!
-Where's Michael? -No idea.
(INTRO TO 'DISAPPEAR')
There he is.
Hey, everyone. This is Helena.
Hi!
# Doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo
# Doo-doo
# Doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo... #
Michael's with Australia's sweetheart,
he leaves her for this gorgeous girl -
breaks up with her over the phone.
I'm sorry.
And in the end, Kylie's still friends with him.
MICHAEL: I'm so sorry.
They're all still friends with him.
I just don't know how he did it.
# You put the light inside this man
# You're so fine
# Lose my mind
# And the world seems to disappear... #
This group started in the pubs of Sydney, Australia,
and went to conquer the stadiums all over the world.
Please give it up for INXS!
(WILD CHEERING)
# And the world seems to disappear
# All the problems All the fears... #
Minutes before you play to 70,000 people,
and you're sitting on a toilet by yourself.
I guess so.
-Success? -Beer and a fag.
(LAUGHS) Give me some.
(CHEERING CONTINUES OUTSIDE)
-I like your outfit. -Oh! Thanks.
Wembley.
# Love, baby, love
# It's written all over your face
# There's nothing better we could do
# Than live forever
# Yeah, well, that's all we've got to do
# Hey, now
# Are you ready for
-# A new sensation -# A new sensation
# Right now
-# It's gonna take you over -# A new sensation
# A new sensation
-# A new sensation -# A new sensation. #
(WILD CHEERING)
MAN ON TV: Now listen, I don't often criticise an act,
particularly an Australian act,
but I feel like I have a right to do so.
INXS's non-appearance recently at the Australian Music Awards
was INX-cusable.
And I'm sorry, boys, but this latest album from Wembley
is very, very boring.
-Oh, piss off. -It's hardly live.
If you're going to give us a live album, make it a good one.
And please, please, give some time
to the Australian music industry.
He should shove that fucking hat up his arse.
He's killed the album.
To say on national television that it's not live - it is!
What did we over-dub?
Three notes of one of my solos and two bars of Garry's bass.
Molly loves everybody and he's bagging us?
He doesn't like you because you won't do
every fucking interview he asks for now.
If you don't make it overseas they give you shit,
and if you do, they give you grief
for not spending enough time in Australia.
It doesn't matter which way you turn,
you can't win in this country.
I don't particularly want the press to like us.
I couldn't care less. I mean that in all sincerity.
If there's one thing I've learned
from the success of the band,
it is a total disregard for what the press thinks.
Do you guys feel overshadowed by Michael?
-No, not at all. -Oh, come on! Do you?
-Where is that shadow? -(ALL TALK AT ONCE)
-Seriously, guys, you must. -Why would we?
Just because everyone wants him and not us
on the cover of every newspaper and magazine in the world...
So Michael, are you proud of the new album,
'Live Baby Live'?
It's taken a bit of stick.
Don't pay attention to that. It is fantastic, mate.
You were there. Did you see us?
Course. Loved it. Couldn't take my eyes off of you.
Check it out. 'Live Baby Live'.
It's Michael Hutchence and his INXS backing band.
Arggh!
Wanker.
CHRIS: Right, we've been asked to do a charity concert
for the Victor Chang appeal and St Vincent's Hospital.
Now, we won't get a fee, but I reckon we should do it,
make everyone realise we're nice guys.
We are nice guys, Chris.
-Yeah, you're not, but we are. -(ALL LAUGH)
Well, if Paul Hogan can go from hero to bum in two years,
so can you, so be good to get the fans back on side.
They're calling it the Concert for Life.
Is anyone else going to play?
We'll try to get Jenny Morris there. Crowded House.
-Yothu Yindi? -Yeah, great.
We'll do a big show like we do overseas.
-You bet. -It sounds like a great idea.
At the same time we can promote the new songs on 'Welcome'.
We'll get Lowenstein to film it, simulcast on Triple J.
I thought it was a charity gig.
Of course it's a charity gig, Andrew,
but if we're gonna do all the work to put it together,
we should at least get a little mileage out of it.
Do you ever do anything just for the good of it,
without thinking through every angle
or what advantage you can take?
No. I'm the arsehole none of you want to be.
(FANS SCREAM)
What we want is to get a real sense of community.
(CHEERING)
"Critics have also surfaced to say that the band,
"and especially the elusive Michael Hutchence,
"have neglected their Australian audience."
Inaccessible? We're here, aren't we, working for free?
"Hutchence, in danger of losing the precious common touch,
"has immersed himself in a world of dreamy models,
"industry acolytes, nightclubs and entertainment flummery."
I mean, he's in rock'n'roll.
The day of a charity concert they're slamming Michael?
Do they not want people to come?
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen,
would you welcome INXS!
# Sweet, sweet, sweet Could you taste it?
# Never, never, never
-# Never, never, never -# Taste it... #
CHRIS: Doesn't look anything like me.
(LAUGHS) Mate, it's a joke.
-Do you know who printed these? -It wasn't me.
I'll tell you who it was.
Some prick who never made a penny overseas
who wanted to get at me.
Chris, the concert was supposed to raise 1.5 million.
-It only made 350,000. -How is that our fault?
Some people are saying that you guys spent more on the show
than was raised for charity.
That's not true.
You used a full orchestra for two songs.
Those songs had strings.
And then you've got the whole Crowded House thing.
Don't talk about the bigger dressing-room.
Their manager gets the sulks. We had more people.
We wanted to put on a great show, and they loved it.
-You saw it. They loved it! -I know! But...
Aren't you sick of it, that the only big shows we get out here
are Michael Jackson and Elton John?
We put together maybe the biggest rock concert
in Australian history,
don't take a penny, we still got shit for it.
Guys, I'm just trying to tell you the vibe out there.
Fuck the vibe!
Well, there's a lot of people saying it.
-Saying what? -INXS have become arrogant.
That you won't grant interviews to Australian journalists.
-Who started that talk, Lee? -Don't kill the messenger.
Every single band that does anything outside this country
will be advantaged by what INXS have done.
They have proven that you can make millions
off an Australian band.
-Chris... -Shut up!
Until 'Kick', nobody took that seriously.
I'd like to take every one of those pricks who complained
and punch 'em in the face - fuck 'em!
It's just payback for being successful.
I'll say it again. Fuck 'em all!
I don't give a rat's arse what anyone thinks.
I just don't think it's worth it anymore.
-Andrew! -No, we're sick of it.
You can't just move to England.
-Yes, you can. -Shelley, talk to him.
You know what he's like. He's made up his mind.
People don't want us here anymore, Tim.
There's always an article about us in the 'Herald'.
It's never good.
(BIRDS CHIRP)
Oh. Thanks, love.
-You alright, Mum? -I'm fine, Jon.
Hello.
(CHUCKLES)
Do you...
Will it be OK if we go?
I'll miss you, Andy.
We all will.
But I'll be OK.
-I'll just be a plane ride away. -(CHUCKLES)
We all know how much you love planes.
(LAUGHS)
-Right, who wants a cuppa? -No, come on, sit down.
-(ALL TALK AT ONCE) -We'll get it.
Everything's just...
How do you hold it together?
How do you do it?
Your mum's going to be fine, Timmy.
The doctor says her prognosis is good.
Are you worried about the band?
Well, nobody's here.
Jon lives in Hong Kong. Andrew's going.
You heard from Michael?
Are you kidding me?
(HORN TOOTS)
-Was that you? -(BOTH LAUGH)
(HORNS TOOT, CHATTER)
Huh? Come on, stay.
(HELENA LAUGHS) Come on!
(MICHAEL AND HELENA CHATTER AND LAUGH)
-Hey! -Hey!
-Whoo! -(LAUGHTER)
(HORN TOOTS)
(DRIVER SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
If I knew what you were saying, I might even care.
(LAUGHTER)
(SCREAMING)
(PHONE RINGS)
Chris Murphy.
Oh, shit.
TIM ON PHONE: Helena, I've got to ask,
was Michael messing with that cabbie's girl?
Is that why he clocked him?
You're right, Timmy. I might have to look into that.
I did nothing. I never even saw him coming. He smashed me.
TIM: Are you feeling better, mate?
MICHAEL ON PHONE: It's just some headaches now.
I should be out of here in a couple of days.
See you guys in a couple of weeks.
-TIM: See you, Michael. -Bye!
What's the matter?
(SNIFFS)
Can you smell these?
DOCTOR: It's called anosmia - the loss of your sense of smell.
It can affect your taste too. Have you lost that?
Pretty much. Will it come back?
Not usually, I'm afraid.
It's also quite common for men in this condition
to lose his sexual drive.
Oh, no. That is quite OK.
(STEADY ELECTRIC DRUMBEAT PLAYS)
(PLAYS OPENING RIFF TO 'THE GIFT')
(TURNS DRUM MACHINE OFF)
Michael!
(MUSIC PLAYS FAINTLY THROUGH HEADPHONES)
Michael!
Michael?
Hey.
-Shit! -Come listen to this.
-Can't you see I'm working? -I just want you to listen...
I'm trying to... Fuck!
(SHOUTS) Fuck! Fuck!
(MICHAEL GROANS) Fuck!
Fuck!
Sorry.
I just wanted you to listen to what I've written.
I know.
It's just been... since this accident...
I get these...rages.
And this anger.
What does the doctor say?
It'll pass.
(FLICKS CIGARETTE LIGHTER)
(SOFT SIZZLING)
Are you OK, mate?
I can't smell Helena anymore.
I can't taste her.
I never will again.
REPORTER: Tim Farriss is no exception.
Next to music, his passion is game fishing.
Wherever the band is...
So I was thinking - how about a really kicking drum
followed by a 'Peter Gunn' bass line?
-(HUMS 'PETER GUNN' THEME) -Yeah.
When you see the car, right there.
Did you hear the one about John Lennon when he goes to heaven?
And he meets Hendrix, Elvis and Bono, right?
He says, "Jesus Christ, what's Bono doing here?
"He's not even dead yet."
And then Saint Peter chimes in and he goes, "Shush, mate.
"It's God. He likes to think he's Bono."
(OTHERS CHUCKLE)
TIM: Come on, let's get this done before we get on the road.
What do you think the fans are gonna think of us now?
JON: Hmm?
This is what they're listening to.
-TIM: Grunge? -Yeah.
I mean, do you think we need to change?
-Get a bit... -What are you talking about?
Look at us. We're gonna outlast the Stones.
Come on, let's play.
('HEAVEN SENT')
# Your eyes are like
# Deep wells of desire
# Once in your arms
# I'm on fire
# You were sent, girl, so
# Perfectly true
# Changing my life... #
CHRIS: Not grunge, please.
Come on, the Seattle scene is over, guys.
There are a hundred Cobain copycats already out there.
KIRK: 'X' sold half as much as 'Kick'
and 'Live Baby Live' did even worse.
-CHRIS: So you're gonna panic? -I'm playing devil's advocate.
-Fuck devil's advocate! -Look at the way we're...
Everyone has their lean times, Kirk -
Simple Minds, the Cure, everyone.
Now, the problem is that your fan base is out of control now.
-It's big. -Not as big as it used to be.
15-year-old kids who like you and 80-year-olds
and people who just wanna hear the hits.
-There's no cohesion. -So how do we fix it?
Well, you've got two choices.
A, you keep churning out the same stuff,
or B, you reinvent yourselves,
like the Beatles did with 'Sgt. Pepper'.
Now, you might only sell 500,000 copies,
you may not get a hit single from it,
but people will remember the album.
-Still talking about Jamaica. -Just go there for six months.
-Smoke all the pot you want... -Chris...
..hang out with local musos and record a reggae album.
You're a great manager,
but would you leave the fucking music to us?
-We never chase a sound. -This isn't chasing.
Whether it's about grunge or Jamaica,
we make our own sound!
That's what we do.
I'm not sure Jamaica would be great for us anyway.
I mean, we would just smoke pot all day.
(LAUGHS) I mean, it'd be like, "Yah, man, let's do it later."
CHRIS: Andrew, why did I like INXS the first time I saw you?
Because you were different.
Now, you do this album, it's a 5-star review
in 'Rolling Stone' - that's a game changer.
And all those fuckers like U2,
they'll fall off the cliff - they can't compete.
Haven't you been fucking listening?
We don't want to do your dumb fucking reggae thing.
-Michael, calm down. -We're just not cool anymore.
That's the problem. We are fucking backwash.
-What's the matter with him? -Since he hit his head...
Oh, so he can't smell. Big deal.
He has these mood swings now, Chris. He's taking Prozac.
-Is that the... -JON: Yeah.
God, he's eating them like Tic Tacs.
TIM: We talked, Chris.
We want to record the next album in Capri.
CHRIS: Capri?
GARRY: The studio is state-of-the-art.
Tiny island, so Michael can't get lost.
Capri.
I just want to make a good album.
(SIGHS)
OK, fine. Capri it is.
Oh, and just for the record,
I hate it when you have fucking band meetings.
(LAID-BACK ROCK MUSIC)
GARRY: Don't get me wrong.
It's stunningly beautiful, historic,
but it's like a 5-star Alcatraz.
Once you're on it, till the next ferry...
..there's no getting off.
(SINGS) # Oh, so fine
# We were trying
# Out of nowhere
# Just in time
# Let you take me deep down the river
# Kiss the changes that shape my life
# Always
# Left behind
# All the tracks that
# I could find
# Doo, doo, doo, doo
# Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo
# All these scars are mine
# I was thinking
# Got the feeling... #
OK, stop. Guys, stop.
Stop!
OK, it's too clean, OK? It just needs some balls.
Let's just get one down...
I don't want to just "get one down".
-Just to see... -It's a waste of fucking tape.
It's digital, it's not tape.
(SOMEONE LAUGHS)
MICHAEL: You know what I'm talking about.
(SIGHS) Michael, yes, I want the song to have edge.
What I don't want to have is another fight.
I think getting the sound right is worth having a fight about.
Can we just play some music?
Why don't we do that song me and Andrew wrote, 'Lucy-Mae'?
We could muck around a bit, have some fun.
-I took it off the list. -You what?
It's M-O-R, mate.
Middle of the Road. M-O-R. I'm not recording that.
You haven't even heard it.
Why don't we just leave it till tomorrow?
I don't want to leave it till tomorrow,
so let's do it one more time, yeah?
And let's do it angry!
(ALL RESUME PLAYING)
(RECORDING PLAYS ON STEREO)
# Oh, so fine
# We were trying
# Out of nowhere
# Just in time
# Let you take me deep down the river
# Kiss the changes that shape my life
# Always
# Left behind
# All the tracks that... #
-Michael. -# I could find... #
-(PLAYBACK STOPS) -JON: Michael.
Michael.
What?
What, mate?
(DOOR OPENS)
(KNIFE THUDS INTO THE FLOOR)
-(KNIFE THUDS INTO THE FLOOR) -OK.
Well, I'm going to bed.
(KNIFE THUDS INTO THE FLOOR)
-What are you doing? -Garry.
-Nah, he's acting like a prick. -(KNIFE THUDS INTO THE FLOOR)
What the fuck is the matter with you?
You! You play bass.
You do it. (LAUGHS)
Fuck you.
Shit, Michael! Stop acting like a fucking arsehole!
-Hey, hey, hey, hey! -I'll do what I want...
..to the floor - do whatever I fucking want.
Come on, Michael, put it down.
Maybe I'll just quit the band.
What would you do then?
(LAUGHS)
Grow up.
(SCOFFS)
(PAPER RUSTLES)
(LAUGHS SILENTLY)
GARRY: Dickhead.
(NOISY CHATTER)
BOY: Hutchence.
Want some orange?
Let us have a read.
-MICHAEL: Give it back. -BOY: It's poetry. (SNIGGERS)
Stop! Don't! Wanker.
-What did you call me? -Wanker.
Wait, wait. Just wait.
He's new. He doesn't know how things work here.
No-one has to get in trouble because of this.
You just tell your friend to watch himself.
My name's Andrew.
Michael.
Did you write this?
-My name's Garry. -Michael.
-This is Jon. -Hi.
-MICHAEL: Hi. -Andrew says you write lyrics.
Not really.
Uh, more like poetry.
ANDREW: You know this one?
Give it a go.
-MICHAEL: I, uh... -Come on.
(BAND PLAYS 'I SHOT THE SHERIFF')
(SINGS AWKWARDLY) # I shot the sheriff
# But I didn't shoot no deputy
# Oh, no, no
# I shot the sheriff
# But I did not shoot no deputy
(MORE CONFIDENTLY) # I shot the sheriff
# But I didn't shoot no deputy... #
Can we join in?
You want to sing? You be the singer.
No, you sound good. Keep going.
I'll try some harmonies.
(BOTH SING) # I shot the sheriff
# But I did not shoot no deputy... #
(SOMBRE MUSIC)
WOMAN: On 'The Big Breakfast', we have a guest.
Boy! This is a guest who has everything a rock star needs -
danger, talent, curly hair
and Australian subtlety.
And, for the first time,
this is a guest that I want to have...
..my leg over.
It is the fantastically talented Michael Hutchence.
-Hi. -Hi.
What are you, a big sex symbol or something? "Hi."
-Are you always very forward? -Am I forward?
-Well, a bit. -And you're talking?
(CREW LAUGHS)
-Ooh, my dress rode up then. -Oh, did it?
Were you always great with girls?
I didn't have far to go.
I'll do the rapey-like thrusts, if that's OK.
(BOTH MOAN)
Do you think you'll ever get married?
-(LAUGHS) No, no. -Oh, why not?
Helena and I are happily unmarried.
Why don't you fancy getting married, though?
Because everyone wants us to get married.
I don't.
Oh, dear.
(INTRO TO 'BITTER TEARS')
# In the midst... #
Michael thought he could handle the paparazzi,
but London is the worst.
You get shanghaied by these guys.
I don't think Michael realised how much they hated Paula.
They wanted to destroy her for betraying Bob.
The whole British press turned.
HELENA: You said it was all lies! A set-up!
Helena...
Michael and I haven't been getting on for quite a while.
I've heard from mutual friends he is with Paula Yates now.
I haven't talked to him.
All I know is we're no longer seeing each other
and I'm not bothered by that.
-Thank you. -(REPORTERS CLAMOUR)
# When the love around begins to suffer
# And you can't find the love in one
-# In one another... # -Ow!
Michael! Michael, don't!
# Push away those bitter tears, yeah
# Push away those bitter tears
# Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh
# Push away, push away those bitter tears... #
(LOW-LEVEL CONVERSATION)
CHRIS: ..about the time when they were playing stadiums,
which is not to say that's not gonna happen again - it will.
You can't make that comparison...
-Now? -Yes, now.
-I'm not ready... -(ARGUES INDISTINCTLY)
OK, OK, OK.
Great. Shit.
Shit.
-You OK? What are you doing? -I've got to find my keys.
She asked me to go to the airport now - now of all times.
Where is he?
-It's probably better Michael didn't come. -Huh?
Can you imagine the circus it would have been?
He liked Mum. I know he did.
She liked him.
Our mum dies, nothing.
My daughter almost dies being born, nothing.
-Andrew. -No-one will ever ask about that.
-Andrew. -All they ask about is this.
And I don't care about it.
It's got nothing to do with anything.
By the end, when we went touring,
we didn't spend a lot of time together.
You know, everyone had their own lives.
Michael was on another planet.
And, um, we just didn't see each other that much.
The press calls you a "mad dingo".
Bob calls you a "neo-junkie philanderer".
He's using big words now? (HALF-LAUGHS)
Yes.
Oh, and they say about me...
Seriously. Seriously! "Would you trade her for Paula Yates?"
-OK, don't read any more. -How can I not? I'm on everything.
Princess Di sent me a note, actually.
She just thanked me for taking her off all the covers.
Did she really?
-Shut up, you goose! -But she could have called you!
I love you.
Thank you.
I used to call you "the love dog".
What, "love dog"? (BARKS)
(PAULA LAUGHS)
And...and...I stuck a picture of you on our fridge,
and Bob used to write the most horrid things across your face.
(HALF-LAUGHS) I bet he did.
-Mostly four-letter words. -Mmm.
But, you know, I'd just replace it the next day.
Had a steady supply, did you?
You're always in the paper somewhere, sweetheart.
They chase my girls down the street
and when they fall over
they take pictures of them crying and write,
"Geldof girls in tears over talk of divorce."
Paula...
And this one says I deserve to be slapped.
For what? Being in love?
Stop.
-(BARKS AND GROWLS) -(LAUGHS)
CHRIS: You've got to use the press, mate.
As soon as they start using you, you're in trouble,
and guess what - they're using you.
They always know where I am, me and Paula.
No matter where we go, they know.
Michael...
Someone in your office is tipping them off.
What?! It's not in my office, mate.
I've got the head of PolyGram giving me shit about you two.
You could lose your record deal over this.
Yeah, but how do they fucking know where we are?!
How do you think they know, Michael?
There are only two people who know where you're going.
Shit, I hired a security guard to watch over you
and you lost him.
Are you accusing Paula?
What, you think she's telling them?
-Yeah, why would she do that? -I don't know, Michael.
Maybe she wants to make sure you stay split up from Helena.
Who told you that?! She would never do that!
-Michael, she would... -Fuck you!
I'm just telling you what everyone...
-It is NOT Paula, OK? -Don't yell at me!
This is YOUR problem, not mine. I'm trying to help.
No, you're bloody not!
Oh, well, I'll leave it in your hands, then.
-What... -(DISCONNECT TONE)
MAN: I know exactly how a beautiful woman feels.
Everybody always hitting on you.
Staring at you like they've a right to.
That somehow, just 'cause you're there, I can stare, you know?
I mean, no wonder Hugh Grant gets a blow job on Sunset.
What else is he gonna do if he just wants something simple?
Yeah, Bono.
It's strange.
When your life comes at you so fast
and suddenly every room you walk into,
everybody knows your name,
but they pretend they don't.
-Hmm. -People looking at me.
I always feel like I'm impersonating a rock star.
-You? -It's true.
-(MICHAEL CHUCKLES) -But him?
He's the real deal.
You know what he's got?
Oxygen.
He's so much better than me
at walking into rooms.
You're not recording any of this, are you?
Oh, fuck.
(MICHAEL LAUGHS THEN SINGS) # That'll be the day
(BOTH SING) # When you make me cry
# You say you're gonna leave
# You know it's a lie 'cause
# That'll be the day
# When I die. #
CHRIS: Yeah. No, that's fine.
Just tell him to call me.
Yep, OK.
Alright. 'Bye.
-(HANGS UP PHONE) Kirk! -Chris.
What's up?
The guys sent me to talk to you.
-You got the short straw? -No. No.
Um...
It's just...we all think...
We're more established now.
We don't need as much work to keep us going.
And, um, you know, you have other bands now,
uh, a publishing company.
So...
..we think that your commission should be reduced from 20%.
-Reduced? -To make it fair.
No, fairer.
Split everything - equal shares.
Just like U2 does.
Is this Michael's idea? Did Bono give it to him?
(LAUGHS) No. We split everything seven ways.
Everyone gets 15%.
Or 14.28, to be exact.
-TIM: You speak to Murphy? -Nah.
I've been calling him too. Nothing. He's never in.
We pay 14.28%, that's what we get -
14.28% of his time.
Screw that - the only reason he's got an office
and 50 people working for him is because of us,
the money he made off us, and now he gets pissy.
Told you he wouldn't like it.
Do you think I should leave the band?
What brought this on?
Well, you can only stay married to five guys for so long.
Michael.
MICHAEL: They're talking about going on another tour.
I don't know if I can do it again.
Hey, of course you can.
The only thing that you can't do is 'normal'.
(LAUGHS)
Why do you always call me
when you're thinking about breaking up with someone?
-I don't. -Yeah, you do.
One of your girlfriends, the band.
You call me.
Well, you're my touchstone.
-Oh, piss off. -(LAUGHS)
You knew me when I had pimples.
Before, ah, all this.
How is everything with Paula?
(LAUGHS) It's, um...
She's pregnant.
Oh, my God. Michael, that is wonderful.
Oh, I hope so.
Oh, you are gonna be a magnificent father.
Wow. You just made me very scared.
(MOANING)
WOMAN: That's it, Paula.
MICHAEL: That's it, Paula. That's great.
WOMAN: That's it. You're doing great.
-You're doing so great. -PAULA: Shut up, Michael.
WOMAN: Now try and focus on your breathing, Paula.
MICHAEL: Just focus on breathing. I've got water.
(MOANS)
Good. Good. That's it, take a deep breath in.
What's the problem?
I got you a great deal
even when your last two albums didn't sell that well.
The Mercury deal is great, Chris, no question.
But we've been advised that your investment plan
is too conservative.
You don't like Merrill Lynch?
We just think the money should be generating capital,
not just gaining interest.
Who's your financial guru, Michael Hutchence?
His advisers put you all up to this?
-It's not important. -Like fuck it's not.
Have I ever ripped off one dollar from you?
Chris, we're...
-Have I? -No, you haven't.
Have you ever had to look over your shoulder
and wonder if I was cheating you?
No.
And now you have advisers to advise you about me?
Chris, we're not having a go.
I can't fight with the people that I have to fight for.
Nuh. Nuh.
(TYPES)
TIM: Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily?
-BUFFY: That's a name. -TIM: Yeah.
-They look happy. -Yeah.
-Like it's a fresh start. -Mm.
Biggest rock star in the world has a ready-made family.
A wife and four daughters.
I just hope he knows what he's doing.
-I can't. -You have to.
Godfather to my first kid.
-How cool would that be? -I can't choose sides.
-It's Tiger. She's a baby. -Bob's my friend too.
You just don't want the bad press.
-I've known him for years. -You fucking wanker.
(SCOFFS)
Oh, my girls.
TIM: Well, you're the only one he'll listen to.
Look, I'm not even sure that's true anymore.
Do you want to stop? Do you want it just to end?
It's just a natural cycle to these...
Don't say that, Andrew. I know you.
I know you love this as much as any of us. Just talk to him.
(SIGHS)
MICHAEL: She looks just like me, don't you think?
Bonsai Michael.
(LAUGHS)
That's all we need.
She's beautiful, mate.
(TIGER GURGLES)
I know I think a lot about everything,
but when I think about it clearly,
except for AC/DC, no Australian band
ever hit it as hard as we did.
-We just played. -And played.
And even though I hated the road,
I hated being away from home, it...
..just worked.
Like, all these different forces, they just meshed.
You and me.
You did your thing and I did my thing.
We never competed.
It was always about the music, more than any attitude.
You turned me from being a poetry wanker into a songwriter.
No, no, I appreciate you saying so but...
..you were always a good songwriter.
Let's get back to what we're good at.
Let's start again.
So...back to Capri?
-Not in bloody Capri. -(LAUGHS)
('STRANGEST PARTY')
(SINGS) # Welcome to the strangest party, baby
# It's like we're staring at the sun
# Everybody's got their invitations
# Hoping that you're gonna come, yeah
-# These are the times -# Times
-# These are the crimes -# Crimes
# What are we waiting for?
# What are we hating for? #
So, wanna get some dinner?
No, I think I'll head back to the hotel.
-I have a better idea, Andrew. -Where are we going?
Did you know that Canada has the best strip clubs in the world?
-I did not know that. -It is highly documented.
And, mate, we are not gonna take no for an answer.
Come on, come on!
# What are we waiting for?
# What are we hating for?
# Wash away the rain
# Into the blue sea, yeah
-# These are the times -# Times
-# These are the times -# Times. #
(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)
MICHAEL: Hello, fucking Germany!
This is Germany, right?
Another hotel room.
Great.
(SNIFFS)
Yeah, I miss you too.
Yeah. How's Tiger?
(LAUGHS) Yeah.
No, I can get you a job in Sydney.
Sir Boob will have to let you take the girls.
I mean, you're their mother. (SNIFFS)
I know. I know you can't leave the other girls.
Yeah, Sir Cocksucker.
That's what he should be called.
(DISCONNECT TONE BEEPS)
(ALL PLAY INTRO TO 'DEVIL INSIDE' OVER AND OVER)
(SLURRED SPEECH) You know, my parents hated each other.
I used to have to go into my own world, you know.
To survive.
And then I met this girl,
this beautiful girl when I was 15,
who taught me all about tantric sex.
That's a true story.
And that made everything better.
(STRUMS LOUDLY)
Oh, oh, I think these guys wanna rock!
(PLAYS RIFF)
(SLURS LYRICS) # Here comes the woman
# With the look in her eye
# She's raised on leather
# Flesh on her mind
# Words as weapons sharper than knives
# Makes you wonder how the other half die
# Other half die... #
He's off with the fucking pixies.
# It makes me wonder
# Wonder, wonder
# Here comes the man
# With the look in his eye... #
-See you, mate. -See you, mate.
Hey, Michael, did you wanna come and grab something to eat?
No, I've gotta get back to the hotel.
There's some shit going on with Bob.
What are you gonna do about him?
I dunno, mate.
-WOMAN: See ya. -See ya.
Shelly.
'Bye.
Did you wanna go and grab something to eat?
Yeah.
MICHAEL: 'Cause it's illegal to destroy blacks or Jews
or people for religious causes,
and so all anyone has left is celebrity.
And everybody needs to kick a dog.
-Ah, Michael? -And fucking Bob. He is evil.
He feeds shit to the press every time
Paula talks about bringing all the girls to Sydney.
Oh, Tim, did I tell you that Pixie calls me Dad now?
Yeah.
I reckon Bob set this up. Yeah, he did.
I mean, who puts opium in a Smarties tube?
I would never do that. I'd smoke it all first.
Alright, mate. I'm gonna go to bed.
No, no, Tim, Tim. Stay. Come on, party's getting started.
What are you doing?
Do you really think Bob Geldof is gonna let
his daughters live with you in Australia?
He has to. You know, the judges won't...
-Do you love Tiger? -What?
-Do you love Paula? -Oh, piss off.
I get the whole rock'n'roll thing, Michael, I do.
But now with Paula and Tiger,
this is about infidelity, Michael, of your heart.
Go to bed.
You told your wife?
-Oh, I felt so bad. -Oh, Garry!
Ah, Garry Gary.
-(POUNDING DANCE MUSIC) -(LAUGHS)
Things haven't been right for ages.
I was trying to keep everything together,
but...I'm lonely.
Mate, you spend so much time trying to please everyone else.
Sometimes, you've gotta do something for yourself.
I thought at the start
that you guys only took me in the band
because I had a van.
-Well, that's true. -That's what I believed.
No.
You're a great bass player, really.
Even if Bill Wyman had wanted to join us,
we would've picked you.
Unless he had a better van.
(LAUGHS)
I don't think Jodie wants me to come home.
Shelly's beautiful, but...
Oh, it's all fucked up.
(SIGHS)
I can appreciate that.
How come, when you mess around,
the women, they always forgive you?
I've seen it for 20 years.
Maybe they don't expect anything else.
TIM: Oh, straight arm, James.
Let's go.
-Ooh! -CHRIS: Remember me?
TIM: Chris Murphy!
-CHRIS: Happy birthday, mate. -TIM: Oh!
CHRIS: You'll never guess what this is.
TIM: That's very nice of you.
-CHRIS: 40. -TIM: Thanks, mate.
-You're an old man. -40's the new 20.
-Haven't you heard? -Is that right?
-Look at this, boys. -Hi, boys.
-BOY: Hi, Mr Murphy. -Got your dad a jousting rod.
-(LAUGHS) -Hey, Tim, um...
Look, I haven't interfered in two years.
Haven't said a word, and there's things I could have said,
but I gotta say now
cancel the tour of Australia.
-What? -It's not sold out, mate.
Playing to half-empty, 2,000-seat venues
in your own country, it'll be a disaster.
It's a homecoming. The fans will show, you'll see.
-Michael won't handle it. -He's OK now.
-Timmy... -He's better.
Yeah, he's better.
Come inside.
(SINGS) # Baby, don't cry
# Baby, don't cry Baby, don't cry
(ALL SING) # Baby, don't cry
# Bass, how low can you go?
# The incredible rhyme animal
# Public enemy number one
# Baby, don't cry
# Baby, don't cry. #
Well, that was perfect. Actually, it was too perfect.
Let's do it again and mess it up a bit.
No. No. We're done for the day. Let's pack it up.
TIM: Yeah, good day, everybody.
Nicotine patches? When did that happen?
Used to be everyone was happy
when rock stars killed themselves.
Now they're happy if we jog.
Nice work today, mate.
You see this?
Paula got it for me.
-Isn't it sweet? -Yeah.
-(LIGHTER CLICKS) -See you guys tomorrow.
ALL: See you, Gaz.
Mate, it's gonna rain. Don't ride home.
Stay, we'll have some fun in town.
Nah, better get back to the farm.
KIRK: Tim, have you spoken to him?
-Cleared the air? -Not yet.
-I will. -MICHAEL: How's the foot?
Ah, yeah, it's getting better.
No more playing with chainsaws, OK?
Alright, see you tomorrow. (GROANS)
ALL: See you, Michael.
(HEARTFELT PIANO MUSIC)
(SIRENS WAIL)
Mmm. You are wonderful. Mwah!
Everything OK with Paula? The girls?
Well, Bob's still a prick, but it will work out.
-Michael... -Dad.
What are you worrying about? There's no trouble.
I'm fine. Really. Things are great.
(CAR HORN TOOTS)
(PHONES RING)
Hi. Murray Rivers, please.
-Mr Rivers, good to see you. -Thank you.
Kymmie!
Mwah!
The whole thing has just been this nightmare,
but I think it's all gonna work out.
Paula is in court right now
getting the OK for the girls to come out for a couple of weeks.
I'll show you these pictures of Tiger. She is adorable.
I know, I'm pathetic.
So I'm pretty sure I can get Paula a job in TV or radio
'cause she is just really great at that.
And then, her and the girls, they can just live here.
Well, that's if fucking Bob will allow it. Mmm.
But he has to. I mean, what's to allow? She's their mum.
(SNIFFS)
RECORDED MESSAGE: Hi, you've reached Kirk's place.
-You know what to do. -(ANSWERING MACHINE BEEPS)
Yeah, hey, Kirk.
Um, if you wanna come by the hotel for a drink,
I am wide awake.
Yeah, give me a call.
(PILLS RATTLE)
(BLEAK MUSIC)
They gave him an adjournment?
-PAULA: Until December 17. -No, no. He agreed.
He said they could come out for Christmas.
PAULA: I'll go back. I'll fight it, Michael.
I need to see Tiger.
PAULA: No, I can't split the girls up.
It will just be a few weeks.
You'll just have to wait a few weeks. I'll be there.
No, fuck it, fuck it. I'm gonna call Bob.
-PAULA: Please don't call Bob. -I'm gonna call him.
-I'm gonna beg him. -PAULA: Please, baby.
Just don't call Bob.
You happy? You know who it is.
And I'm gonna fucking call you back!
-(PHONE SMASHES ON FLOOR) -Fuck! (GROANS)
(WATER GUSHES)
MICHAEL: She's not your wife anymore, little man.
(YELLS) She's not your wife!
Are you there?
OK, I've fucking had enough.
(PANTS AND SNIFFS)
Shhhh.
Michele?
MICHELE: Hello. Michael?
I need you, Michele.
MICHELE: Hey, yeah. Yeah, it's OK.
-Um, I'm on my way, yeah? -(MICHAEL SOBS)
MICHELE: I'll be there...I'll be there in 30 minutes, OK?
OK.
(BLEAK MUSIC CONTINUES)
(RATTLING)
For 20 years, we were sitting around, waiting,
asking, "Where's Michael?"
He was always late.
Where's Michael?
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
(KIRK MUMBLES TO HIMSELF)
Michael?
-GARRY: How are we? -KIRK: Good. How are the roads?
-GARRY: Oh, wild today. -KIRK: Busy?
GARRY: Yeah, traffic. Even on the bike. Oh.
What did... What did you get up to?
Could you give this to Room 524, please?
-To Mr Rivers. -RECEPTIONIST: Certainly.
(BOTH MUMBLE)
-Good morning. -Good morning.
-How's the foot? -It's getting better.
-KIRK: Looks like it. -GARRY: Yeah, it's pretty bad.
ANDREW: Yep, I think the toenails need it.
GARRY: They could use a good clip.
KIRK: Thought I smelt something.
-(ALL LAUGH) -GARRY: That's disgusting.
-How are you there, Gary? -I'm very good, thank you.
-TIM: Morning. -ALL: Oh!
-KIRK: You brought a TV? -TIM: Cricket's on.
GARRY: Fantastic.
You did not bring a TV to rehearsal.
Yeah, do you wanna watch the first session?
Do we have a choice?
(TENSE MUSIC)
-(PHONE RINGS) -TIM: Yeah.
-OK. 'Bye. (HANGS UP) -(TV PLAYS IN BACKGROUND)
Where's Michael?
I think he'll still be a while.
That was...that was Karen.
Apparently there's cop cars out the front of the Ritz-Carlton.
-BOTH: Ohh. -What's he done now?
(SNIGGERS)
-Morning, lads. -Morning.
-Hey, Jonny.
Hey, why are all the reporters outside?
(TV NEWS JINGLE PLAYS)
NEWSREADER: We interrupt the cricket
to bring you some breaking news.
Michael Hutchence, lead singer of INXS,
has been found dead in his hotel room
in the Ritz-Carlton.
MAN ON TV: The body was found just before noon
by a member of the hotel staff.
The hotel room where the body was found has been secured.
REPORTER: There were reports Hutchence hanged himself.
MAN: It would appear there are no suspicious circumstances.
There were a number of prescribed medications.
REPORTER: INXS was formed in Perth in the late '70s.
(PHONES RING)
But lately the music was overshadowed
by off-stage antics.
Now a comeback tour of one of the greatest bands
in Australian music history
has come to an abrupt and shocking end.
(ANDREW SINGS) # I'm standing here on the ground
# The sky above won't fall down
# See no evil
# In all directions... #
REPORTER: At the same time police confirmed
that Hutchence was dead, his band was...
# Resolution of happiness
# Things have been dark for too long
# Don't change for you
# Don't change a thing for me
# Don't change for you
# Don't change a thing for me... #
(REPORTERS SHOUT INDISTINCTLY)
# I found a love I had lost... #
-(PHONE RINGS) -Chris Murphy.
# It was gone for too long
# Hear no evil... #
He knew you weren't angry with him.
Michael knew.
-# Execution of bitterness... # -(SNIFFS)
# Message received loud and clear... #
Fuck!
# Don't change for you
# Don't change a thing for me
# Don't change for you
# Don't change a thing for me
# Don't change. #
JON: Kirk had a dream that night.
He said he saw an owl.
It spoke with Michael's voice.
Said...
"I'm alright.
"I'm free."
Everything good
was all about the music.
Always.
I remember when I was maybe six,
before we could have even dreamed about any of this...
..Mum and Dad left me in the car with the radio on
and Tim and Andrew were outside,
and this song, 'Hey Jude', came on.
And I remember hearing it and looking at Tim and Andrew and...
..it was like I was...
It was like I was hearing magic.
Through everything,
for all of us, that's...
..that's what it was like.
Music was...
..magic.
(PLAYS SLOW CHORD PROGRESSION)
(CONTINUES PLAYING CHORD STRUCTURE)
-That's nice. -Yeah.
Yeah, keep going with that.
(PLAYS LONG CHORD)
(SINGS) # Don't ask me
# What you know is true
# Don't have to tell you
# I love your precious heart
# I, I was standing... #
That's good.
# You were there
# Two worlds collided
# And they could never, never, never tear us apart... #
(STADIUM CROWD ROARS)
(BAND PLAYS 'NEVER TEAR US APART')
# We could live
# For a thousand years
# But if I hurt you
# I'd make wine from your tears
# I told you
# That we could fly
# 'Cause we all have wings
# But some of us don't know why
# I was standing
# You were there
# Two worlds collided
# And they could never ever tear us apart... #
(CROWD SCREAMS)
-Oh! -(BAND RESUMES PLAYING)
(SAX BREAK PLAYS)
# I
# I was standing
# You were there
# Two worlds collided
# And they could never tear us apart
-# You -# Don't ask me
-# You were standing -# You know it's true
-# I was there -# Worlds collided
-# Two worlds collided -# We're shining through
# And they could never tear us apart
-# I-I-I-I-I -# Don't ask me
-# I was standing -# You know it's true
-# You were there -# Worlds collided
-# Two worlds collided -# We're shining through
# And they can never
# Ever tear us apart. #
(CROWD ROARS)