I just got done watching SOAKED IN BLEACH, the half-movie/half-documentary exploring the details of the death of Nirvana front-man Kurt Cobain in early April 1994.
The "official" story states that Kurt Cobain, after injecting himself with a more-than-lethal dose of heroin, put a shotgun to head and pulled the trigger in the greenhouse above his garage. Conspiracy theorists insist that it was murder. They're crazy, right? Well, they might not be.
For years there has been circumstantial evidence that might indicate that the death of Cobain could be a homicide, but never anything really concrete. Until now. Private Investigator Tom Grant opens up completely about what he knows about the case and reveals recorded phone calls and conversations between him and Courtney Love, as well as many other involved in the case. Grant was hired by Love in early April 1994 to help find Cobain after he "went missing".
In the film, Grant is portrayed by Dan Roebuck (as well as actual footage of Grant). Grant visited the Cobain house multiple times following the disappearance -- and was never made aware of the greenhouse above the garage. In fact, the film goes as far as to show us that when arriving at the house at night (and while raining), it is nearly impossible to even see the second story of the garage, especially if you're not even looking for it.
Grant goes on to reveal several recordings with Love, who continues to contradict herself and the physical evidence available. She's adamant that Cobain was suicidal, but nothing really suggests that he is. That truth is that Love and Cobain were due to be divorced soon and she'd receive a small settlement. Without Cobain, Love's band Hole might not have ever become anything. She had plenty of motive for Cobain to be dead -- financially speaking.
I'm not leaning one way or the other, but SOAKED IN BLEACH does a fascinating job of proving conspiracy. Hard evidence is hard to ignore. And the fact that this case hasn't officially been re-opened is beyond puzzling. Love claims to have found a "suicide note" under pillow, yet Grant insists that when he searched the house just a day or so earlier, there was no note. Anywhere.
And to top it all off, Love's attorney looked into one of Love's backpacks and found several handwriting practice sheets, all depicting Cobain's writing. Someone was clearly trying to forge something in Cobain's handwriting. Coincidence? You be the judge.
In all, SOAKED IN BLEACH is one of the rare true-crime stories that shows you the door, but doesn't force you to walk through it. I now completely understand why Love didn't want this movie released. And I'm glad she failed at that.
Whether you're a fan of music, true-crime movie or just a good old-fashioned mystery, then this is most definitely the movie for you. I highly recommend SOAKED IN BLEACH to anyone.
Now that this case if fresh in my mind again, I may go ahead and check out that other new release regarding the same subject matter, KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK.
What were your thoughts on the movie? The case in general? Sound off in the comments below!
Thanks for the review. After pointing out the compelling and well-presented evidence of murder, why are you "not leaning one way or the other"? This is a puzzling conclusion reached by other reviewers. I feel people (not you, perhaps - I don't know this, just suspect it) are afraid to look foolish by supporting this film wholeheartedly. Can you explain?
ReplyDeleteFunny you bring that line up, because I debated leaving in it or not. Regarding the actual case -- and not just the movie -- I tend to tip towards homicide. I guess to answer your question, I don't really leane either way because I, personally, don't have any stake in the case. I know that sounds contradictive, but it makes sense in my head, I suppose.
DeleteThanks for your answer. I have come to see this whole case as having so much to do with media manipulation by powerful people with the money and motivation to silence honest reporters with the integrity not to suck up to them (her). Village Voice reporter comes to mind as one who seemed eager to please the "cool people", even suggesting that Tom Grant just wasn't hip enough to the scene to discern when people were being chaotic druggies vs. artful sociopaths. Another theme I have heard is that the murder allegations are "misogynist" attacks. If you really read through comments sections in various forums, you can detect a very similar voice espousing the same talking points again and again "it was suicide" "it's over, let it go" "Tom Grant is an opportunist". I believe if unmasked we would see these voices resolve into one aging blonde liar trying desperately to spin the narrative. I hope it's too late for that.
DeleteI agree 110% with this.
DeleteGreat job, Nick. It seems to me that it's really all about facts and common sense. I'm sharing this on FB and I'm certain that Tom G and Ben S (among many others) will see your fine piece. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and have been telling everyone I know about it. "The truth shall set you free."
DeleteCourtney did it, man! Well, paid to have someone do it at least. No other explanation. I mean, c'mon, that handwriting scratchpad they found should be enough to get the case reopened.
ReplyDeleteCourtney has always been presented as being somewhat jealous of Kurt's fame and attention. The irony is that, in death, Kurt became twenty times the icon he was when he was alive, and Courtney just got buried deeper and deeper under his mountainous fanbase. He's in the record books; she's merely a footnote. So if she was the one that had him killed, it really backfired. No pun intended (well, kinda.)
Nice write up, Nick.
Yeah, the whole case was fucked from the get-go. Definitely needs to be re-opened.
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