The documentary shedding light on May Pang, the woman involved in an affair with John Lennon during his marriage to Yoko Ono, unveils Ono's influential role in orchestrating the relationship.
As Yoko Ono approaches her 90s, the timing of a documentary about John Lennon's extramarital affair with May Pang from 1973 to 1975, referred to by Lennon as his "lost weekend," may seem insensitive. May Pang, the couple's former assistant, portrayed in the film with grace and dignity, was in her early 20s during this tumultuous period. The documentary features Tony King, Apple Records A&R man, and LA music figure, describing Pang as more than just a casual companion.
The film suggests a genuine love connection between Lennon and Pang, but one rooted in a peculiar, dysfunctional circumstance. Ono, cautiously admitting her role, encouraged the liaison as a means of managing and controlling Lennon's perceived tendency to stray. Ono effectively instructed Pang to "date" Lennon, leading to a semi-official relationship coinciding with a creative and relaxed phase in Lennon's life, both in LA and New York. However, Ono consistently loomed in the background, potentially maintaining more direct contact with Lennon than Pang realized or the documentary acknowledges.
Ultimately, Ono ended the liaison herself, prompting Lennon to inform the heartbroken May that he was returning to live with Ono in their Dakota building home, where he would tragically meet his fate five years later. The documentary refrains from drawing simplistic parallels between Ono's intervention in this affair and the perceived role she played in breaking up the Beatles. Nevertheless, based on Pang's previous books and utilizing TV interview footage, the film implicitly critiques both Ono and Lennon for their self-absorption, with a potential for a sterner commentary to consider their attitudes abusive. In any case, the documentary offers a vivid snapshot of a troubled private life at the pinnacle of the US music scene.
"The Lost Weekend: A Love Story" is set for release on November 20 on the Icon Film Channel, followed by availability on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital platforms on December 18.