2008, USA
Documentary, Music
The Hells Angels may not be inflicting martial law and nude, stoned fans may not be crawling onto the stage, but the Rolling Stones still know how to create a memorable performance.
Unlike the chaos witnessed in the Maysles brothers' 1970 rock doc Gimme Shelter, in Martin Scorsese's Shine a Light the frenzy falls to the band. Impressive for a band that has (mostly) been together for 46 years.
Scorsese films two benefit concerts held at New York's Beacon Theatre during the Stones' "Bigger Bang" tour, with Bill Clinton opening the show. Scorsese and Mick Jagger are humorously introduced attempting to finalize the staging and line up -- two icons of their mediums clashing over the other's choices. After the band shakes hands with Clinton's mom and the President of Poland, the stage some how comes together and Scorsese receives the set list just as the lights come up.
Comedy is infused throughout the film in between sets as old interviews reflect youthful charm and a playful disengagement after repeatedly hearing the same questions. The film does not attempt to delve into the psyches of these rock gods. Rather, it honestly exhibits the dichotomy between their blithe star personas and their legendary music.
On stage, the Stones rock out with as much energy as when they were 20. The cameras can hardly keep up with Jagger's wild gestures as the beanpole seduces the audience with his gyrations. Even during steady songs, there is a manic rhythm infused between each beat. Keith Richards plays the wry pirate with a sparkly headscarf and eyeliner, always sneaking a smile to the audience. Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood nearly fall to the background in deep concentration, but always rocking out.
The film boasts an award-winning cinematography team (supposedly including Albert Maysles) headed by Robert Richardson. In the introduction, the film style jumps from color to black-and-white to something that resembles night vision as the clarity and graininess shift. Scorsese invites the photographers to interpret the band in their own vision, though consistency solidifies with the concert.
The film is an Imax presentation and all the better for it. It is easy to get swept up into the concert as movie audiences scream and clap after each song. Not only is the stage on screen bigger than life, but the set is complete and the songs are presented in their entirety. A great mix of the blues, R&B and country that inspired them along with their hard hitting rock, Jagger also duets with Jack White III of rock's next generation, blues legend Buddy Guy and diva Christina Aguilera. Richards even puts down the guitar to sing the blues. The set winds up with their most popular tunes, yet they are not even necessary -- a testament to a good show that does not rely on old tricks.
Scorsese -- frequent Stones soundtrack utilizer who filmed both The Band's last concert in The Last Waltz and Michael Jackson's music video for "Bad" -- takes time out from the Oscar race to assemble a concert film that both cinematic fans and Stones fans should enthusiastically appreciate.
Comments (1)
[ripped from comments friends have made: ]
I thought it was great.
Everything about it from a film perspective was top-notch – the camera work, production, editing, sound, lighting. I'm glad I saw it in IMAX. Often when concert films try to gain intimacy and really capture what it's like on-stage, they end up getting in the way. I didn't have that feeling in the slightest with this movie.
It was a little bit poignant to see the clips of The Stones in their youth and to then see them now looking, uh, significantly aged. But you can still see that spirit inside them. They still rock.
There were some notable omissions from the song list – "Paint It, Black;" "Gimme Shelter;" "You Can't Always Get What You Want." But "Loving Cup" with Jack White was a treat.
--Keith
Outstanding. Further proof of why the Stones are the template for every band since. Loved the way Scorsese captured the intimacy and the details; Buddy Guy and Mick locking into a groove, Keith tossing his guitar pick. Great stuff.
I agree w/ Keith; the "Loving Cup" duet w/ Jack White was the highlight. However, I've seen the Stones do "Gimme Shelter" (my favorite song), and its such a perfect studio gem (the opening solo is like a portal) that it can't be done justice live.
Only complaint: "Just My Imagination"? C'mon, unless its an old Robert Johnson song they're ripping off, I don't wanna hear covers.
--Mike
Posted by Deborah | April 7, 2008 11:57 AM
Posted on April 7, 2008 11:57