SPOILER-FREE PLOT SUMMARY
Narrated by Oscar-winner Jeff Bridges, the OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD: THE FIRST CORAL REEFERS documentary brings Parrot Heads back to the beginning of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jimmy Buffett’s career. From his Billboard magazine writing days in Nashville to finding a home in Key West to touring the world, this is the origin story of Buffett, how he found his original band members and how he shifted focus to personal health around 1980.
SPOILER-FREE REVIEW
Using current interviews with Coral Reefer band members, music producers and industry insiders as well as archival recordings of Buffett, director John H. Cunningham provides an insightful look at one of music’s most recognizable artists. Best known for songs like “Margaritaville”, “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “A Pirate Looks at Forty,” Cunningham could’ve rested on the hits but, thankfully, OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD provides an interesting look far beyond the singles.
Hearing from those who were there speak on the grueling travel schedule, Buffett’s sudden spells of inspiration, his battle to refuse session musicians and the sheer volume of alcohol and drugs, the documentary transports the audience back to the 1970’s when, maybe, they weren’t even alive yet. The never-before-seen (or rare) video clips only help reinforce that travel through time and really anchor the documentary as a whole.
Despite just a 92-minute runtime, however, there are a handful of stories that seem unnecessarily long. Are they fun to hear if you’re a die hard Buffett fan? Absolutely. But, for everyone else who’s watching to learn more about his legendary career, they come off as nothing more than filler to get the documentary into the “feature length” category as opposed to just “TV special.”
That said, Cunningham does a great job without the ability to interview Buffett himself and, instead, is forced to settle for archival footage and recordings. A must-see for anybody who considers themselves a Parrot Head, simply loves live music or has sang “Margaritaville” at a karaoke night.
Given Buffett’s roots in Nashville and how much the city plays a part in his story, OCCUPATIONAL HAZARD will be on my Music City Film Critics Association ballot for the Jim Ridley Award.
JKG SCORE: 6.5 out of 10
Untitled Film Project 