Townes Van Zandt was a well-regarded and influential musician and songwriter.[4] The film follows his life as an artist, and documents the impressions he made on other musicians, his commitment to a mental facility, involvement in music, drugs and alcohol, departure from his family, several of his live performances, and general life on the road.[2]
The film covers some of Van Zandt's time spent in Houston, Texas, where he began his musical development,[5] though according to the film's DVD commentary, much was excluded from the early years, when he met many of his early influences and lifelong friends (Lightnin' Hopkins, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Mickey Newbury, etc.), and developed his musical skills in the city's folk and country scene in the late 60s and early 70s.[6]
The film maintains a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[9]The New York Times said, "Margaret Brown has directed a tender, impressionistic film biography about the Texan singer-songwriter," and The Village Voice called it "loving but frank."[9]
Be Here To Love Me was listed at #7 in a list of "50 Greatest Music Films Ever" in TimeOut Magazine.[10]
