Some of the archive clips trigger goosebumps, while Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson radiate charm in this affectionate anniversary tribute to Detroit’s influential record label
Young, gifted and black – and so many of them. Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson: all under one roof in a suburban house in Detroit, a sign hanging above the porch: “Hitsville, USA”.
The 60th anniversary of Motown records is marked by this celebratory official documentary that tells in exhaustive detail the story of how Berry Gordy Jr built his record label. It’s a film that strikes the reverential tone of authorised biography, everyone blandly on message. Still, the archive footage of artists – some barely out of high school – making
music with expressions of pure joy on their faces gives you goosebumps.