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Get What You Need
Behind the Scenes with Skate the
Nation - 1996
A Review by Carolyn C.
"Get What You Need" chronicles Eaton's 1996 Skate the Nation Tour. This
all-Canadian cast includes Kurt Browning, Brian Orser, Josee Chouinard,
Sebastian Britten, Susan Humphreys, pair skaters Barbara Underhill & Paul
Martini, Christine Hough & Doug Ladret, Michelle Menzies & Jean-Michel
Bombarier and ice dancers Jennifer Boyce & Michel Brunet. Set to music by
the Rolling Stones and narrated by Kurt Browning, the 90-minute documentary
is segmented into different phases of the tour. The underlying theme of
this tour is the quest they all have to "get what they need" from it. A
good portion of this video consists of interviews with the skaters, as they
give their insight on the tour and on skating in general. Also featured is
Michael Seibert, the choreographer for the tour.
Based on the amount of behind-the scenes footage, the one thing that
becomes evident is the camaraderie among the group. Maybe it is because
they're all Canadian skaters, but this seems like a group who genuinely
like each other (see the segment titled, "The Just Us Club"). Kurt
Browning is especially complementary of the younger members, which makes
him seem like the "big brother" on this tour.
But there is great skating in this video, too. Many of the programs are
not shown in their entirety, but one must see is Kurt skating to "Here I
Am". This is an excellent version. He must be wearing a microphone
because you can hear him talk to himself throughout the program. He's
having a blast. There is also footage of Kurt skating to "Hey Pachuco",
displaying that great footwork that's made him so unique. Other highlights
to watch for include programs by Josee Chouinard, Brian Orser and Hough &
Ladret's "My Sharona" (although I wish it had been shown in its entirety).
Without giving away too much , expect some unexpected moments on this tour.
They include a nasty collision during practice, a skater's uncertainty and
sadness after winning a championship on the heels of another skater's
mistakes, and the sacrifices many must make while touring (there's a cute
scene where Kurt sits on a couch next to a picture of his then-fiancee
Sonja, wearing a frown).
One of the best highlights in "Get What You Need" is the cast finale to a
Rolling Stones medley. Don't miss Kurt Browning doing the greatest
impersonation of Mick Jagger I have ever seen! For about five or ten
seconds, Kurt IS Mick Jagger. The cast seems to have a great affection for
this type of music and it shines through during the finale.
I really liked "Get What You Need". It is interesting to see how complex a
tour is. This is more than a collection of great skating performances.
It's a story of a great experience, told by a close-knit group of friends
who share their love for skating. What makes it so great, described
perfectly by Kurt, is that it really is a "family atmosphere".
Carolyn C.
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