Rock Stardom Isn’t Easy for Radiohead

The new documentary on the acclaimed English band Radiohead is called “Meeting People Is Easy,” but a better title for the film might be “A Hard Day’s Journey Into Night.” While the Beatles used their first movie 35 years ago to capture the exhilarating rush of stardom, “Meeting People” is a 94-minute look at how success can turn sensitive lads into basket cases.

The film, which will be shown tonight at the Egyptian Theatre and Friday and Saturday at midnight at the Sunset 5 before its release on video and DVD in May, depicts the musicians as reluctant warriors, thrust by the critical and commercial success of their 1997 Grammy-nominated album, “OK Computer,” into a hellish succession of interviews, photo sessions, bus journeys, promotional appearances, etc.

Part of the job? Don’t tell that to singer Thom Yorke, a shell-shocked bundle of nervous tics and dour glares who seems to find release only in fleeting moments of rock thrash on the concert stage. At least it’s not the familiar rock- star pettiness. Yorke makes deeper points when he articulates the dehumanizing effect of being treated as a commodity, and the fear that success will inevitably corrupt Radiohead’s future music.

* “Meeting People Is Easy,” tonight at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., 7 p.m. $15 (includes post-screening party). Also Saturday and Sunday at the Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, midnight. $8. (323) 848-3500.