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Original poster

Thoughts on Pete Doherty documentary?

144 replies

NoPumpkins · 17/11/2023 15:50

Just that really.

I thought it was a rather ‘slight’ documentary in some ways, but it had its moments.

Fitting (and genius) that he should end up in France it occurred to me.

OP posts:
dayswithaY · 17/11/2023 20:50

Yes I agree, that is a beautiful song.

The documentary was a car crash. His poor wife, whatever made her think he was the best she could get. He doesn’t know how lucky he is, without her he’d be in the gutter.

The Kate Moss suitcase was pretty desperate, that’s all he’s got now. He was blatantly lying and completely uncaring about Mark Blanco, his story didn’t make sense.

I’m sorry for his wife and baby but he’s a waste of space, a selfish man child.

Bigroundpear · 17/11/2023 20:57

I sat quietly for some time after watching thinking of all the compassionate and meaningful things he could have said about the death of Mark Blanco. That the chaos led to selfishness. That he deeply regretted being involved in it. That he could consider what that young man lost. Rest in peace Mark.

PD was unable to connect with LT, and it was just miserable all round, the strained relationship with Carl, the wife who has had to move to the most sedate place in the world just to stop this man using drugs. I mean, just miserable really.

verityswims · 17/11/2023 20:57

Thanks @CJ7

Bigroundpear · 17/11/2023 20:59

memyselfi · 17/11/2023 19:13

Do addicts really have a choice though ?
I think he's doing the best he can .

Doesn’t the ‘no choice’ view totally rid addicts of agency and ability to change? I think it’s quite disempowering. He has the choice, every single day.

I have had many addicts in my life, they all make a choice, every day. Some to drink/drug and some not to.

verityswims · 17/11/2023 21:09

Interesting to read thoughts here.

First of all I thought that he was lucky in some ways. He possibly would be dead if not for his wife and the ultimatum. I'd imagine things can't be plain sailing for her. I don't know.

He seems like a clever man. I don't think that's come across before for me in newspaper interviews. I did think he was a similar age to Kate Moss and so had a youthful look for someone in his 50s, but he's apparently 44. He does have the look of an alcoholic, sadly. I

As to the death of Marc Blanco. I noticed, when looking up his age, that he recorded a music video in the same flat, with 'murder' in the title, approx four months after his death.

Libertass · 17/11/2023 21:13

The Libertines were over-hyped & crap. Doherty was a talentless junkie loser. Now he’s a forgotten, obese talentless junkie loser.

dayswithaY · 17/11/2023 21:14

As to the death of Marc Blanco. I noticed, when looking up his age, that he recorded a music video in the same flat, with 'murder' in the title, approx four months after his death.

That is horrifying and speaks volumes. I read an interview with Sheila Blanco, poor woman she deserves answers.

TheValueOfEverything · 17/11/2023 21:19

I lived in London at that time and saw Pete D perform live a few times in his heyday. Libertines, then later with Babyshambles, Kate Moss slipping on stage to join in on What Katie Did. Pete and Carl hit a zeitgeist moment and had a special creative energy. They wrote some cracking songs, did some brilliantly memorable gigs, and made a lot of people happy with their music.

Sad ending but at least he’s still alive and has a family. Could have followed in poor Amy’s footsteps.

Albioncreed · 17/11/2023 21:37

Hearmenow23 · 17/11/2023 19:10

I thought he was sober and a reformed character living in France, so I was a bit surprised to see that he's an alkie. His wife demanded marriage and the regular injections to stop his heroin use. She must have been shitting herself when he went back to the UK for that festival.

He just doesn't give a shit about anyone. Owing the restaurant owner money and sitting there with his long dirty fingernails.

I like his music but he's completely overrated. I'm surprised I watched it after watching the other doc of him running past the dead body.

He's clearly still in the thick of it all.

Yeah, owing money to the restaurant owner is pretty shit.

he came across as very “me me me” as if all he really cares about it himself

SoRainbowRhythms · 17/11/2023 21:41

Found it interesting. I was heavily into the scene in Camden in the early 2000's so brought back some memories, not all of them good.

He's a man with a lot of feelings. Also a forces kid like me, and we can be an odd breed of person.

Rinkymcdinky · 17/11/2023 22:32

He seemed disconnected from things, events ‘happen’ to him. I didn’t feel his connection to his wife, more that this was his life now and he’ll see where it goes.
I felt sad for him, that addiction had essentially removed his potential because the Libertines were refreshing at the time, but it was a hot mess in the early 00s.

ohfook · 18/11/2023 05:07

I loved the libertines so I was interested to see this doc, but I think the one his wife has made will be far more revealing.

I feel very sorry for katia, I think she's trying very hard to keep someone alive who has a certain self-destruct mode. He seems to be towing the line at the moment, but I found it interesting that he struggled to answer why he married her.

I also think it's pretty clear that he's just swapped drug addiction for alcoholism. And that he does not like being confronted with the impact that his actions have had on other people.

FromEden · 18/11/2023 05:25

I know @Username467849865and probably scaring/raw areas at the bottom of his oesophagus. The odd fat distribution too ??cirrhosis causing hormonal issues?

Wouldn't be surprised if he had hepatitis from his drug days. Sounds like he's killing himself with heavy drinking on top of liver disease

Melony75 · 18/11/2023 06:23

When he goes to England to gig and you see that man hanging around asking him if he wants to party later, you can see how easy it would be to slip back into that lifestyle.

BethDuttonsTwin · 18/11/2023 06:39

He's a man with a lot of feelings. Also a forces kid like me, and we can be an odd breed of person.

Me too and that’s a good way to put it!

I remember reading he was with KM and being completely baffled by what she could possibly see in him. Then watched an interview with him and got it. He was sweet and softly spoken, there was something about him.

Years later after a marriage to an alcoholic I have absolutely no patience for the pathological selfishness that comes with addiction, the devastation they wreak on people who love them. I know they need care and sympathy but it takes a better person than me to not despise the addict I was married to who destroyed our family and hurt us all so badly.

newnamethanks · 18/11/2023 07:12

Squirmy. Even LT looked bewildered as if he was wondering what they were both doing there. Fingernails Pete. Not a good look.

Princessfluffy · 18/11/2023 07:51

Has his mum written a tell all book cashing in on him?

RudsyFarmer · 18/11/2023 08:02

I thought he was clean now?!!

TheaBrandt · 18/11/2023 08:06

Eurgh we got stuck sitting with him and his entourage on a plane in 2006. He absolutely stank of bo and old booze they were all off their heads shouting etc and one of his friends tried to start a fight with a man sitting next to us. Was pregnant and was horrible being trapped in with them. We are not fans!

FromEden · 18/11/2023 08:08

Just watched it on YouTube. He does have something about him, as in a star quality. Feels like he's channelling johnny Depp currently though. Was shocked to learn he is only 44, thought he was closer to 50. He's obviously unhappily clean from drugs. Seems like they will get him in the end, if the booze doesn't first.

bozzabollix · 18/11/2023 08:13

We finished it and both said that we’re lucky not to have addictive personalities, it’s an absolute curse. He looks like a dead man walking to be honest and two years younger than my husband who is fit as a lop (turns out being in the Libertines is far worse than working for the NHS in these times, although it’s probably more fun).

I feel it’s sad that a 44yo can see themselves dead before not too long, and I agree with him. But he seemed very accepting of it despite having a newborn though, I’d move heaven and earth to stay around to see my kids become adults and maybe have kids.

Not an advert for drugs.

Longma · 18/11/2023 08:15

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

Violetparis · 18/11/2023 08:20

After watching this I watched a documentary available on Channel 4 'Who Killed My Son Pete Doherty'. I recommend it. Feel so sorry for Marc Blanco's family.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 18/11/2023 08:22

Addiction is funny in terms of peoples perspectives for it, I think peoples tolerance for it decreases as they get older and see more ruined people and families, where when people are young there can even be a glamor to it. I wasn't an Indie kid but I think there was a lot of that with the Libertens?

I watched an interview with Shifty from Crazy Town and it was just so sad, the alcoholics voice, the inability to sit still, the self awareness yet obvious inability to do anything to properly sort themselves out. You feel sympathetic but at the age of 40 I've got people I know in real life who have destroyed themselves and their kids through addiction and that's all I really think about with any of these celebrates interviews.

MrInbetween · 18/11/2023 08:25

We watched it and thought he was clearly an intelligent man, but ultimately selfish as many addicts are.

However we had also just watched the Robbie Williams Netflix doc. and we thought PD came across much better than RW, who we disliked lots.

But some similarities- a level of entitlement and reliance on the women in their lives to keep them going. This is what annoys me most.