I had known Leonard Cohen and his music - had several albums (Jennifer Warnes 'Famous Blue Raincoat' a great one). I went to see this movie, though, thinking it should be good but not knowing what to expect. I had just seen Neil Young's Heart of Gold and was disappointed because it was essentially a concert film of new (and very similar) music. It failed to show the diversity in Neil Young's songs over the years. The Leonard Cohen movie was also a concert film but with artists I wasn't very familiar with. WOW, was I surprised. To me it surpassed The Band's "The Last Waltz" and now - for me - is the best music film ever. I was blown away by the performances, being mesmerized by Anthony's performance and deeply moved by Teddy Thompson's. I wanted a remote controller so I could push repeat and see these performances again. Martha and Rufus Wainwright's performances were equally stunning. Nick Cave looked and sounded like Leonard Cohen, while the others brought new and wonderful interpretations to these great Leonard Cohen songs. Nick Cave's Suzanne was fascinatng as he sang the lead 'behind' the backup singers instead of in front. It was filmed in black and white adding to the experience. In short, there wasn't a disappointing performance among any of them and I wouldn't want any of them left on the cutting room floor. If there was a disappointment at all it was that The Handsome Family's wonderful rendition of "A Thousand Kisses" was cut short. That's the music. But, this is also an "art film". Very masterfully edited were comments by Leonard Cohen and other musicians including Bono and Edge from U2. Photos of Cohen's life, his art, and his poems were appropriately and artfully placed to give a real sense of this amazing person's life and contribution. When Cohen reads his introduction to a book of poems being translated into Chinese we not only understand the man, we understand and appreciate the value of humility and the too often overemphasis on self-importance. The final number with Leonard Cohen singing and U2 playing and capped off a marvelous movie. This is a must see for any lover of the arts.
Review of Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man
