The documentary "Don't Look Back In Anger" offers a sentimental look at the 2025 reunion tour of the band Oasis, capturing the elation of their comeback while largely sidestepping the complexities of the brothers' long-standing feud and subsequent reconciliation.
The film opens with a montage detailing Oasis' global rise in the 1990s, fueled by hits like "Wonderwall" and "Roll With It." However, as their fame escalated, so did the animosity between siblings Noel and Liam Gallagher. The brothers' conflict culminated in a significant backstage altercation in Paris in 2009, leading to the abrupt cancellation of a concert.
Fan footage from the Paris event shows the promoter announcing the show's cancellation due to "a huge fight together in the dressing room," declaring, "The band doesn't exist any more." Scottish singer Amy McDonald, present that night, tweeted that the fight was "seismic," with Liam Gallagher reportedly smashing Noel's guitar.
Despite these events, "Don't Look Back In Anger" provides minimal detail about the fallout or the specific reasons behind the 15-year hiatus. The documentary does not delve into what was said during the altercation or who initiated the eventual rapprochement. Instead, it transitions to rehearsals for the comeback tour, with a caption noting the brothers had "didn't speak for 15 years," implying a seamless healing of past wounds.
During rehearsals, a palpable tension arises as the band, under Noel's direction, works on the setlist. Liam Gallagher's arrival is later in the process, and his mood is uncertain. Upon his arrival, Liam expresses irritation over soundproofing placed in front of the drums, huffing, "They're already giving me the hump."
Noel Gallagher is quoted in the film suggesting that the "little things that used to annoy us about each other have all gone away" and that "It's not a power struggle any more." The documentary captures the euphoria of the band's return to the stage and the crowds' reactions, but it refrains from deeply exploring the personal dynamics or the difficult conversations that likely paved the way for their reunion.
The film includes scenes of the brothers interacting, such as a moment backstage where Liam appears to be speaking to a laughing Noel.
Oasis performs on stage in 2025, with both Liam and Noel in black shirts, raising their arms to greet fans.
