Starting Over in the Shadow of the Beatles

Read Time:5 Minute, 53 Second

MOVIE REVIEWS
Man on the Run
–

Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2026
Runtime: 1h 55m
Director(s): Morgan Neville
Where to Watch: streaming globally on Prime Video February 25, 2026

RAVING REVIEW: What does it mean for the most well-known songwriter on earth to suddenly find himself without a band, without any support, and without any certainty that people still want to hear what he is doing? MAN ON THE RUN doesn’t attempt to cover The Beatles' story again, nor should it; we have multiple documentaries that have told that story. Here, we’re posed a tougher question: what happens when a legend has to demonstrate his worth from the beginning?

Morgan Neville tackles Paul McCartney’s time after The Beatles with a directness that feels measured. This isn’t a celebration of success, nor is it an excessively flattering account. It’s a film about reputation, doubt, and the anxiety of starting over. By focusing almost entirely on the 1970s, Neville makes the film about a period often seen as a break between The Beatles' story and McCartney’s unquestionable status as the icon he cemented. The risk is worthwhile; MAN ON THE RUN is less about looking back and more about the focus on identity when under strain.

Neville employs home videos, unedited practice sessions, TV shows, studio recordings, and newspaper pieces to build energy. McCartney himself narrates parts of the film, and that keeps it personal without turning it into boasting. You can hear the doubt in his voice when his first albums on his own aren’t well-received. You can see the pressure in interviews where he’s asked, time and time again, if he was the one who ended The Beatles.

The film is at its best when it examines the general lack of approval for Wings (a rock band formed in 1971 in London by Paul McCartney on vocals and bass, his wife Linda McCartney on keyboards, and Denny Laine, formerly of the Moody Blues, on guitar and vocals). While time has made that opinion less persistent, at the time, reviewers saw the band as an unnecessary project. MAN ON THE RUN presents that period not as a loss of status, but as a period of rebuilding. There’s something brave about seeing McCartney begin again in smaller places, struggle through tours that weren’t always good, and change his style in front of the public. For someone who had already won the world over, the thought of starting again is almost revolutionary.

Linda McCartney’s inclusion is, without question, the emotional center of the film. Through recordings and photos, the documentary shows her not only as a wife who supported him but as a creative partner who brought stability. The scenes of their home life are important. Life on the farm, children running around studios, and Linda’s vocals added to the songs. The Beatles' period often feels unreal as it is so well documented; Wings, on the other hand, feels messy and truly human. That difference is the film’s secret weapon.

Neville also doesn’t avoid McCartney’s mistakes. Being arrested for cannabis in Japan, the early records weren’t very good, and the idea was that he was following what was popular instead of what meant something. None of this is made into a big deal throughout, but it isn’t hidden either. The documentary admits that John Lennon’s influence was always there. There’s a careful balance. Lennon isn’t shown as an enemy, but as a standard of creativity that reviewers always used to criticise. When the film reaches Lennon’s death, the mood changes, not to overt emotion, but to maturity. McCartney’s sadness becomes a turning point in how the public views him.

Structurally, the documentary follows a clear pattern: breakdown, rebuilding, recognition, and judgment. Alan Lowe’s editing keeps the pacing consistent, and at 1 hour 55 minutes, the length feels correct. There’s enough space to show performances, particularly live shows that remind people why Wings was important beyond the songs on the radio. These moments are vital. They go against the idea that McCartney’s work after The Beatles didn’t have enough energy on stage; there’s a real desire shown here.

The documentary succeeds in what matters most. It makes an icon human without making him seem less impressive. It presents a decade that is often seen as less important than a story about continuing to be an artist. It also suggests that starting over takes more bravery than being at the top. Being in The Beatles was a stroke of luck. Creating Wings was hard work.

For long-time fans of The Beatles, MAN ON THE RUN won’t necessarily show anything completely new, but it does offer a different viewpoint. For people who are only familiar with the edges of what came after, it might change how McCartney’s work on his own is seen. Albums like RAM and Band on the Run are presented not as just part of his history but as proof of strength. The film doesn’t say this directly; it lets the music and the film do the work.

What truly makes the documentary better is its control of tone. It never becomes melodramatic or too emotional. It never exaggerates the myth. It believes that the story of a world-famous star finding his feet again is interesting enough on its own. And it is. MAN ON THE RUN feels less like a crowning and more like making things right. It reminds people that being great isn’t a straight line. Sometimes it’s a new beginning.

@AmazonMGMStudios
@PrimeVideo

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of PRIME VIDEO, AMAZON MGM STUDIOS]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive complimentary items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl Records, Books, and more. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support as you navigate these links.