Stop Making Sense (2023)

That was an excellent one.

A different way of telling a story

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

I saw this in the theatre back in 1984 and remember liking it. I like the Talking Heads and think this was made during the peak of their career. I like Demme and think this was made during the peak of his career. Still, I kind of suspected that if I watched it again I would think that the adulation this film garners is a bit overblown. No, I was wrong. This really is the work of a a band and a director at the peak of their powers and meshing completely.

Stop Making Sense is the kind of concert film that gets you pumped up for the Talking Heads even if you're not that huge a fan. I love a few of their songs- Take Me to the River, Burning Down the House, Psycho Killer most of all- but I never really "got in" to them at a younger age, mostly because I knew them from classic rock radio. What Jonathan Demme as director presents with his film of their concert in 1984 is to energize fans and casual listeners to their presence and power and just plain f***ing fun. The main force behind the group, singer/guitarist David Byrne wears suits 10 times too big, runs laps around the stage (while also having back-up singers jogging in place as well), and creates crazy pop-culture and avant-garde imagery on behind them on a screen. It's madness, but it's also alive in performance and song all the way.Maybe one or two songs might not totally click or may sound a little, well, dated (it was the 80s after all, no longer the folks from CBGB's), but there's constantly memorable moments, including the opening take on Psycho Killer, the building-block form from song to song as band members join one by one until it's a good dozen players and singers all in the mix, and with the imagery that Demme and DP Jordan Crenowith create. For the most part it's (perfectly) straightforward film-making... but here and there we see real artistry break through, shadows cascading the figures playing, the juxtaposition of Byrne in that suit flopping around, moving around seamlessly between musicians. It's the kind of craftsmanship that looks like it should be easy enough with a good few cameras, yet probably took as much prep work as Scorsese had on the Last Waltz.So, take in all of the 80's New-Wave mood (and, make no mistake, it's VERY 80's New Wave, but probably in the best and most experimental sense imaginable), take in pretty much all of the classic Talking Heads numbers (there's one I forget the name of that's especially chilling with the chorus a series of 'ya-hay-hay-hay-hay-hay's' from Byrne in marching formation). It's probably one of the best modern concert films.

The back of the DVD describes it as "The Citizen Kane of concert movies", and I am inclined to agree. From David Byrne's entrance across a tape-marked floor, you know that this will be a truly cinematographic movie. Johnathan Demme's direction is superb, utilising stage-wide pans and long takes. The sound quality is crisp, and vastly different from the soundtrack album, which is arguably Talking Heads' bestApparently, the film has a plot, akin to a concept album, a man trying to enter the human race, or some such, but even without the plot it is a worthy film. The film has no distinct turning point or act-series. Each of the 16 songs could be argued as the turning point.Even though this movie was released in 1984, while the band still had 3 albums yet to make, the movie is the pinnacle of Talking Heads' career.There are so many memorable moments, which i will not state here for that would just be selfish of me. "Stop Making Sense" is truly one of the best movies I have seen in a long time and i recommend it to all viewers, unless you don't like Talking Heads.In which case, go and watch something else. Without David Byrne in it.

This vibrant, exhilarating registration of two fantastic Talking Heads concerts proves: "Au contraire, mes chères!" (which means "No way - Jose")David Byrne again proves he is no less than a musical genius. In the confusing "punk era" mentioned above the Heads stood tall - and continued to produce their own atmosphere. A _female_ bass player - oh yes - and how skillful she is! Tina - we all love her! Jerry Harrison, and Chris Frantz and the other band members - likewise.Watch the over-sized suit Byrne is wearing - however did he come up with that idea? The Trademark for this movie.I recommend this work of art to everybody that is willing to take a dive in a deep and controversial, blue and clear ocean also known as "new wave". Musical history is written...don't miss it..nuff said.