Where were you when Kurt Cobain died? Apparently, a great many people were affected by the passing of Nirvana's lead singer, and so, inevitably, doubts have been cast on the verdict of death by suicide.

Nick Broomfield's documentary claims it is looking for the truth of the story, but essentially the flimsiest of conspiracy theories and the stronger reactions that Courtney Love provokes in all who come into contact with her are all he has to go on. Because there are no real questions, ultimately, there are no answers; Kurt and Courtney draws us in regardless, as we meet various people whose lives have been in someway affected by those of the two main subjects.

This is very much a case of truth being stranger than fiction, certainly as far as characters go: Courtney's father, more or less stating that his daughter could possibly have had something to do with Kurt's death; Grant the detective, on a mission to prove that Kurt was murdered; a selection of punky/junkie friends of Kurt's who resent Courtney's effect on him.

Love was extremely unhelpful in the making of this film, so it is perhaps not surprising that she comes across as hard, domineering, and prepared to trample everyone underfoot to ensure her own success. Of course,  this doesn't alter the fact that she probably is all those things. Cobain, on the other hand, is portrayed as a sensitive and caring person, swept along in a current not entirely of his own making, and drowning.

The film, however, is trying to deal with truth, and the fact that truth can be interpreted in many ways. Broomfield insists on lengthy close-ups of his interviewees, while they state their point of view. It is left to the audience to decide whether the faces match the words, or whether, because this is the USA and we are dealing with big fame and money, people are merely out for what they themselves can get.

Because of  Love's impediments and holds on copyright, there is little actual footage of Kurt. There is a lot of hand-held camera, plenty of wobbly zooms, and Broomfield himself becomes increasingly more visible as the film wears on, but despite all this, and even if you don't care how Kurt actually died, this is a riveting film. There is no story, and no ending, but sometimes to journey is better than to arrive.