Film Review - Stop Making Sense (4K Restoration)

Images courtesy of Madman Films.

Move aside Taylor Swift. The re-release of Stop Making Sense reiterates that Talking Heads still holds the title for the best concert film ever made.

Originally released in 1984, Director Jonathan Demme shot a simplistic, slightly strange yet incredibly epic performance by Talking Heads at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Opening with their debut hit, ‘Psycho Killer’, the band takes the audience through their killer discography up until 1983.

Right away from the opening shot of frontman David Byrne’s walking silhouette, the film is making a statement. This concert film is different from the rest. From then on, it takes the audience on a ride of sound that will have you tapping your toe at the beginning and up on your feet by the end of its 88 minute runtime. Stop Making Sense relies on minimalist stage art direction that allows the audience to focus in on the music of Talking Heads in order to capture that energy of a live concert. While there are impressive stage visuals and actions by the band (double points for Byrne’s big suit), it is used sparingly to emphasise the emotion and meaning of the music. In fact, each Talking Heads member gets a chance to show their stage presence with Demme ensuring to focus on every single face before the film is over.

David Byrne is one of those musicians who just has natural charisma when it comes to performing. While he appears quirkier than the other frontman of his era, from the moment he’s on screen, it just feels like he belongs on that stage. Aside from Byrne, his band members Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz get a shot at the spotlight with their side band Tom Tom Club. Their performance of the song ‘Genius of Love’ is an absolute highlight thanks to the sense of fun Weymouth and her backup vocalists exuberate.

As the film progresses, it becomes difficult to not become an instant Talking Heads fan as you realise all the 80’s classics that they’re responsible for. It can be said that Stop Making Sense leaves the audience asking for more knowledge. Interviews from the band’s members scattered throughout the film could’ve helped new audiences understand the dynamic of Talking Heads, especially it’s being re-released for a new generation. But it’s also appreciative that Demme lets their music and actions speak for themselves without interrupting the flow of the film’s experience.

For those who are unaware of the band Talking Heads, Stop Making Sense is not only a fantastic introduction to them, but also an energetic snapshot of what appears to have been one of the highlight performances of the band’s career.

Stop Making Sense is dancing onto screens Thursday 9th November. For tickets and more info, click here.