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Review #204 of 365
Film: Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man [PG-13] 98 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $14.00
Where Viewed: Landmark Chez Artiste, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 3 August 2006
Time: 4:45 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Aaron J. K. and Franck B. of Idyllwild, CA
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DVD | soundtrack |
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
U2's Bono indicates in the outstanding new documentary film Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, it is time for this tribute because there's not likely to be another Leonard Cohen. Of course, he says a ton of flattering things about the man whose songs he has sung and who's music has given him and millions of other people unique insight into the world. Canadian-born Cohen, has led a very interesting life where he has wandered in almost Kerouac-like fashion, around the world in search of meaning where there might not be any. His music has enjoyed a near rebirthing via the voices of Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker, and siblings Martha and Rufus Wainwright that has allowed new generations of Cohen fans to be born. What truly sets this film apart from other documentary biographies is that director Lian Lunson accomplished something that few others can or even try to do, she has mapped a bit of Cohen and his music into the style, flow, and feel of the film. She achieved this immeasurably much more satisfying effect, I feel, because she really understands the music and her subject.
"Director Lian Lunson accomplished something that few others can or even tried to do, she has mapped a bit of Cohen and his music into the style, flow, and feel of the film.…truly momentous from start to finish."
Therefore, we see black and white images when things are dreary and colorful images when things are vibrant. She intermingles some of his visual art with his musical art, and she takes him head on with respectful questions. Only his answers are in the film not her questions. This is, after all, a film about him and not her. She really gets that concept, and it helped elevate this film to one of the best biographical documentaries of a musician ever made. I knew nothing about Leonard Cohen, and while I've heard his songs a million times, I never knew they were his. And, after the film, I feel I not only know Leonard Cohen, I understand why he has had the impact he has had on other people. That is a remarkable achievement and a true credit to Ms Lunson's work. I'm only going to pick on one thing and be done with it leaving the rest of my review to point out some of the good stuff. In documentary after documentary, I will never understand why directors film interviews with people standing up. The first few times Bono or Nick Cave are interviewed, they look as though they were caught off guard just outside the doorway on their way to somewhere really important. Give the people a tall stool to sit on for goodness sake.
Another decision that Ms Lunson made was to include the performances of the singers singing Mr. Cohen's songs in full. So, while this might make the film a bit longer, getting to see Nick Cave sing "I'm Your Man"—which is a pretty long song—fully was amazing. Before each song, there are interview segments, historical bits on Cohen's life, and images. As one would hope, then the song that follows brings those points addressed to life. One of the most amazing experiences in the film, for me, was listening to Bono wax on about his adoration for Cohen's music. He mentions one of his favorite Cohen songs, "Hallelujah" and how the beauty of this song absolutely brings him to his knees. The film then cuts to the Wainwright siblings and Linda Thompson (Rufus on the piano as well) as they sing the sontt. I was in tears by the end. Indeed, "Hallelujah" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life.
So many people set out with the best of intentions to capture the life of another human being on film and to, in effect, preserve their essence for future generations to adore. So many fail because they never really understood their subjects or what made them so special. Lian Lunson has produced a film that not only understands Leonard Cohen, the film respects, projects, and illuminates him. It would be nearly impossible, whether you end up liking his music nor not, to leave the theatre having seen this film and not feel you are better off for having been exposed to him, his insights, and his music at least once in your life. The film is truly momentous from start to finish.
Another decision that Ms Lunson made was to include the performances of the singers singing Mr. Cohen's songs in full. So, while this might make the film a bit longer, getting to see Nick Cave sing "I'm Your Man"—which is a pretty long song—fully was amazing. Before each song, there are interview segments, historical bits on Cohen's life, and images. As one would hope, then the song that follows brings those points addressed to life. One of the most amazing experiences in the film, for me, was listening to Bono wax on about his adoration for Cohen's music. He mentions one of his favorite Cohen songs, "Hallelujah" and how the beauty of this song absolutely brings him to his knees. The film then cuts to the Wainwright siblings and Linda Thompson (Rufus on the piano as well) as they sing the sontt. I was in tears by the end. Indeed, "Hallelujah" is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard in my life.
So many people set out with the best of intentions to capture the life of another human being on film and to, in effect, preserve their essence for future generations to adore. So many fail because they never really understood their subjects or what made them so special. Lian Lunson has produced a film that not only understands Leonard Cohen, the film respects, projects, and illuminates him. It would be nearly impossible, whether you end up liking his music nor not, to leave the theatre having seen this film and not feel you are better off for having been exposed to him, his insights, and his music at least once in your life. The film is truly momentous from start to finish.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Ladies And Gentlemen...Mr. Leonard Cohen [DVD](1965)
Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man [DVD](2005)
Music By:
U2
• Nick Cave• Jarvis CockerLeonard Cohen • Linda Thompson
• Teddy ThompsonMartha Wainwright
• Rufus Wainwright| CD Soundtrack | VHS | DVD |
| Related CD | Related Book | Related DVD |
Review-lite [150-word cap]
U2's Bono indicates during the outstanding new documentary film Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man, it is time for this tribute because there's not likely to be another Leonard Cohen. Director Lian Lunson mapped a bit of Cohen and his music into the style, flow, and feel of the film achieving an immeasurably more satisfying effect than previous biographical documentaries of musicians. In seeing the film, the source of the impact of Cohen's music on millions comes through well especially through the performances of his songs by Rufus Wainwright and Nick Cave featured in their entirety. The film not only understands Leonard Cohen, it respects, projects, and illuminates him. It would be nearly impossible to leave the theatre and not feel you are better off for having been exposed to Cohen, his insights, and his music at least once in your life. The film is truly momentous from start to finish.
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