NO other musician has arguably become so synonymous with the highs and lows of rock star life than tragic Kurt Cobain.

But new documentary, Montage Of Heck, offers a genuinely insightful look at the man behind the myth.

When you think of the Nirvana frontman you might picture the grunge scene and 'Generation X', the iconic and hugely influential Nevermind album or Cobain's high profile decline and suicide.

But Brett Morgen's official documentary – produced by Cobain's daughter Frances Cobain – concentrates on his family life where it all began.

Morgen was given full access to Cobain's sketches, journals, lyric books, photos and videos with one directive from Cobain's widow Courtney Love – to 'tell the truth'.

The filmmaker also unearths forgotten songs on tape and creates vivid animated segments to accompany voice recordings Cobain made in his teenage years.

For fans, there is a lot of new information to glean along the way like Cobain's failed suicide attempt at 14 or just little asides like the fact Nirvana could have been named the Reaganites.

The source material is used incredibly well and, accompanied with Nirvana's music, offers a full picture of Cobain's life that feels intimate and raw even 20 years on from his death.

Montage of Heck allows you to get inside Cobain's mind and relate to his struggle on a human level rather than through the eyes of those who idolised or demonised him.

What also makes the film feel intimate is the interviews with Cobain's family including his father Don Cobain who speaks out for the first time on camera here.

You discover that Cobain's early years and family life in Aberdeen, Washington, was arguably as destructive as his later drug abuse.

His parents' divorce and the way he was subsequently treated by both had a profound effect on him.

The film shows how he found escape when he discovered punk rock which planted the seeds for Nirvana.

But although Cobain craved fame he loathed the trappings and expectations of fame and was simply not prepared or equipped for it.

For a film that focuses on family, Morgen takes things full circle with some home videos of Cobain's daughter Frances.

She was not even two when Cobain died but the unearthed footage shows a little seen side to his character as a loving father who had a compelling reason to battle his demons albeit unsuccessfully.

The only criticism of Montage of Heck is that it does not cover the aftermath of Cobain's death and with his family all willing to give their reaction it could have made for some powerful footage.

Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl is also noticeable by his absence who could not make the film's schedule.

And it would have been interesting to hear from Frances Cobain as an adult to say what has been like to grow up in her dad's shadow.

- Montage of Heck is available now