The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack

This bittersweet documentary chronicles the life and times of a folk-music legend that almost wasn't. Ramblin' Jack Elliott was born in Brooklyn, the son of Jewish doctor. At age 15 he ran off to join the rodeo; he reinvented himself as a cowboy and played guitar at rodeo stops and honky-tonks across the country, eventually coming under the tutelage of folk icon Woody Guthrie. Elliott emulated Guthrie in his music; he also plucked chords with Johnny Cash and later became mentor to a young Bob Dylan.

But Jack was a ramblin' man, and ramble he did. He was notoriously late (if he showed) for gigs and skipped through four marriages. His daughter Aiyana, who made this homage, captures her father's rich personality and the essence of folk (Arlo Guthrie and Kris Kristofferson toss in some amusing blips), but about halfway through, the narrative itself begins to ramble as it turns into a "Why weren't you there for me, Daddy?" therapy session. At the Kendall Square.

-- Tom Meek