A documentary about Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, offering an unusually frank examination of the band’s formation, ascent, and eventual resurgence. The film marks a significant achievement given Hynde’s well-documented reluctance to discuss her personal life or submit to extended interviews. Director Jess Crowley conducted conversations with Hynde over three years before she finally agreed to appear on camera, demonstrating her initial resistance to the project.
Despite her preference for privacy, Hynde opened up considerably during the filmmaking process. She was motivated partly by a desire to ensure that guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon received proper recognition for their contributions to the band’s early success. The documentary traces Hynde’s unlikely path from her Ohio childhood through her time at Kent State, her relocation to London in 1973, and her involvement in the emerging punk movement alongside future legends.
The film provides insight into how Hynde’s rebellious spirit and musical sensibilities merged with those of her British bandmates to create an enduring sound. Through archival photographs and Hynde’s own reflections, viewers witness the creative energy that defined the Pretenders’ early years. Rather than glossing over difficulties, the documentary presents an authentic portrait of a band whose impact on rock music has proven remarkably durable across decades.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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