Doco gets under the skin of an icon

T★★★★ hey were the band that introduced the world to the unique talents of Lou Reed. The group who were Andy Warhol’s ‘‘house band’’ at his New York ‘‘Factory’’.

The combo who achieved very little commercial success during their existence, but who are now considered one of the most influential bands of all time.

The Velvet Underground were known for their constant experimentation and love of the avant-garde, traits that definitely did not endear them to everyone. (‘‘This will replace nothing, except maybe suicide,’’ Cher famously said after seeing them play for the first time.)

But as this perfectly pitched, creative art installation-esque documentary by Todd Haynes

(I’m Not There, Velvet Goldmine) details, their sonically adventurous sound and provocative lyrics really set them apart.

The film is brought to life via split screens (sometimes up to 12 images at a time, playing out at varying speeds), revelatory video and audio (often from some surprising sources) and modernday interviews with those who were there (no younger fan-boy or fan-girling artists allowed on display here).

You’ll learn the backstories of the key band members Reed and John Cale, their early musical efforts (one of Reed’s initial groups were so bad they had to keep changing their name so students would continue to hire them for their fraternity or sorority parties), and how they came up with their ‘‘drone’’ (essentially by detuning their guitars).

With Reed having long since died, it’s up to his family, bandmates and college girlfriend to flesh out his adventures. Cale provides his own testimony.

Both clearly had difficult childhoods. After admitting that their accountant father was really a frustrated novelist, Reed’s sister Merrill Reed Weiner at one point angrily informs us that ‘‘it’s simplistic to suggest an easy explanation for Lou’s troubles’’.

Welshman Cale meanwhile, says the first time he ever heard English (even though his father was from there) was at school aged 7 because his grandmother, with whom his parents lived, had banned the language from her house. Highlights include: discussions on the inner workings of Warhol’s art collective, The Factory (a place described by The Velvet Underground’s percussionist Maureen Tucker as not good for women because they were only valued by their looks); how German singer Nico became the group’s ‘‘face’’ (‘‘because Lou wasn’t that beautiful’’, according to Warhol); and a less than successful foray to California.

Some viewers might still find the band’s music somewhat impenetrable after watching this, but this could also win them a few more fans.

One thing is for sure – this is a wild, rare documentary whose tone and style is in perfect harmony with its subject.

The Velvet Underground is now streaming on Apple TV+.