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Stop Making Sense

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Stop Making Sense

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Summary

Concert documentary in which Talking Heads perform 16 songs from across their first five studio albums at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December 1983.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Calum Baker

This document of Talking Heads' innovative 1983-84 stage show is perhaps the greatest of all concert movies, as well as a unique cinema classic in its own right. The film opens on the striking image of frontman David Byrne, with guitar and boombox, walking onto an empty stage to perform Psycho Killer. From there, with each song, the set is dressed and the band grows. Before long, they're burning down the house. Byrne's precise stagecraft is fascinating, as he uses lyrics, lighting and costumes to create a narrative, while his elastic performance, whether dancing with a lamp (in a nod to Fred Astaire) or emerging clothed in that famous "big suit", expresses a remarkable emotional range. But it's the genius of director Jonathan Demme that pushes the film itself beyond a mere visual record of a rock gig. His production team, not least cinematographer Jordan Cronenweth (Blade Runner), doesn't only capture the band's hyperactive presence - it matches them. The lengthy, almost unbroken take that slowly zooms in on Byrne performing his iconic moves to Once in a Lifetime exemplifies Demme's impressive cinematic artistry. Above all, the film is downright fun: a showcase for nine talented musicians enjoying themselves on stage, and itself an immersive expression of creative joy.

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8.7/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameDavid ByrneDavid ByrneChris FrantzChris FranzJerry HarrisonJerry HarrisonTina WeymouthTina WeymouthEdnah HoltEdnah HoltLynn MabryLynn MabrySteve ScalesSteve ScalesAlex WeirAlex WeirBernie WorrellBernie Worrell

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Crew

rolenameDirectorJonathan Demme

Details

Theatrical distributor

Palace Pictures

Released on

1999-09-10

Languages

English | French

Available on

video and DVD

Formats

Colour

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