Stop Making Sense (2023)

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.

I just saw this movie tonight at the OKC Museum of Art for the first time in 30 years. It was even more fun than when I first saw it which may be because of the crowd I watched it with. The audience was comprised of a diverse mix of people ranging in age from teens to the 70s or 80s. The crowd had a blast throughout the film and cheered and applauded after each song with audience participation increasing as the film progressed. It felt like being at a live concert, so I can imagine what it must have been like to be at one of their live concerts in 1984. I found I was smiling throughout the film. A blast from the past and a blast all around. From David Byrne's surreal, quirky, fun antics on stage to Tina Weymouth dancing as she played guitar and the camera shots of the Jonathan Demme film, the band and film crew get everything right to provide us with a perfect concert film that is not to be missed. See it on the biggest screen you can with surround sound if possible. I have long thought the soundtrack CD was one of the best ever produced, the concert film holds up just as well. "O-o-oh what a day that was!"

I don't know how many times I've watched this film, but I do know that it has never grown old. David Byrne, artist first, musician second, created the single most unique, and best, musical stage show of all time. Then he brought in a spectacular bunch of backing players to compliment the Talking Heads core quartet.Demme captured it perfectly by not being too intrusive or overly busy. This is before the 40 edits per minute video era; while not stagnant at all it never makes you dizzy. You have time to take in the different personalities.And, yeah, the music's pretty good, too.

I have many music documentaries and recorded concerts, and stop making sense is by far the best. I don't know if this was truly intentional or not, but it seems like the entire concert was geared toward making an awesome video. of course the music is awesome, as always, but the combination of an incredible performance and terrific cinematography creates one hell of a DVD. there are actually only 3 or 4 shots in the entire film where you see a substantial amount of the audience, and, unlike many concert recordings, the camera work is not constantly switching and showing everything at once, but focuses on what is most significant to that portion of the song and waits, appreciating whatever is happening rather than flipping back and forth to every different angle they have. you must buy this DVD, and, if not, at least buy the album so you realize how great the DVD must be.