There is an inherent understanding on both sides of what is truly special about the expression of feeling through art. From the moment David Byrne steps on stage to do a semi-acoustic version of Psycho Killer, there is a rawness on display. His voice momentarily cracks during the chorus of this song, and it is a perfect indicator of what is to come. Through these moments of vulnerability and genuine energy, the Talking Heads create an intimacy that is only allowed to those most willing to put themselves out there. As the show continues, each band member is introduced. There are 4 core members of the band, accompanied by other instrumentalists & vocalists who joined specifically through the tour. They are introduced slowly throughout the first few songs, but the band never skips a beat. This film, which plays out over a couple nights, is full to the brim with incredible and fun performances, some of the catchiest music written, and some truly amazing feats of creativity and stamina. Special shoutout to Tina Weymouth for being one of the most underrated musicians ever. The bass lines she concocts are what drive the sound and tone of the band’s best tracks, and she does not get enough praise for it. The electricity of the performance is undeniable, but it’s not just the music that makes this memorable.

Demme, an already established filmmaker with seminal works like Silence of the Lambs, makes deliberate creative choices here that accentuate everything previously stated. Instead of wild and eccentric camera movement, the camera is steady and consistent. The focus here is on the expressions and choices that the performer is making, highlighting the unique nature of the concert by allowing these moments to stand out among the fun and chaos of the energy on display. Some of my favorite moments of this film are just a simple wide shot that includes the full band. Holding on to these moments really allows you to see the absolute blast they are all having. These paired with close-ups of each performer create an authenticity one can feel through the screen. It’s truly an amazing example of what a camera can be when it is allowed to capture the feeling of the current moment, with Demme standing out through his sheer confidence in the things he is portraying. Typically this kind of approach requires a special kind of story to tell, and this meeting of worlds is a perfect blend of performance and simplicity. 

I have truly adored this film since I first laid eyes on it, but the music being played is equally important. I think it would be quicker to explain which tracks I don’t love, but specifically Swamp, Slippery People & Girlfriend Is Better rise above the rest. Each of the incredible tracks is flawlessly rendered by every part of the band, with the backup singers in particular adding a lot of texture throughout the record. As amazing as some of their big hits are, the variety and tonal difference throughout the set are also to be highly commended. The breadth of genre and sound being covered throughout the show is rarely matched, especially with how skillful each rendition is. The writing is a really big standout as well, with tracks like Life during Wartime & Found a Job specifically communicating some really interesting concepts while still being wildly catchy. I truly can’t say enough good about this film, and I implore you to watch this film as soon as possible! If you are anything like me, you may find yourself quickly becoming familiar with a wide range of incredible new music!

Written By Blank Thought: linktr.ee/b1ankthought