A Poem Is a Naked Person (1974) User Reviews

Directed by {Blank}

[nhlgumby · 8/10 · 5 October 2008]

For those of you fortunate enough to have been in a situation where Les Blank personally showed his private copy of this film to a group of non-profits, you might get the title joke. Easily Les's least seen film for legal reasons, it is nevertheless one of his best. The film documents the recording period of musician Leon Russell in his Oklahoma recording studio from 1972-1974. The film alternates between vignettes of Leon at his sprawling studio, such as the painting of the mural in his pool, and scenes of local Oklahoma flair, like the great goose flight. While oftentimes it features persons who seem to be there to do nothing but lounge and generally disagree, there are those moments when Leon and his crew actually play music, and those moments are wonderful. It's a shame that Leon refuses to release this film, because it exists as a document of a person in a time that can't be gotten back, yet must be understood. Les is an aging man who may never show his film again so if you come across a situation where it will be shown, go out of your way to see it.

music doc

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 7 September 2020]

Filmmaker Les Blank spends 1972 to 1974 filming musician Leon Russell at his recording studio on Grand Lake in Oklahoma and as he plays his concerts. It has a younger Willie Nelson among others. It's a moody piece. I don't get much of a sense of anybody especially Leon Russell except when the snake has its meal. It's more a sense of place that seems to be on display. Some of the performances are fun and it's compelling music. There is an echo in an interview and I'm not sure if it's deliberate. The whole movie is a bit messy. I don't know anything about Leon Russell before this and after this, I'm not sure that I know him that well. That is really the start and the end of this. I don't care much about the drugged out philosophical ramblings of the band, the fans, and the hanger-on. The other people seem to be good ole boys and I don't care much about them either. Les is throwing everything at this including the kitchen sink or in this case, a building implosion. A guy is suddenly eating glass to show off and I don't know who he is. That's this movie.

Definitely not your typical rock'n'roll documentary

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 9 August 2018]

This free-form documentary from idiosyncratic filmmaker Les Blank that's ostensibly about famed rock'n'roll singer/songwriter Leon Russell was filmed over the course of several years, but never given a proper wide release until 2015. Was it worth the wait? The answer is a resounding yes, for Blank thankfully eschews the standard cliched talking heads format and delving into a subject's past instead to zero in on the here and now when the documentary was shot, with a noted and refreshing emphasis on not just Russell and his insanely groovy music, but also on the Deep South and the colorful individuals who populate the area that have a profound influence on Russell and his music. Naturally, we do get plenty of choice footage of Russell live in concert where he puts on a lively and thrilling show for his cheering fans as well as lots of terrific downhome country songs complete with special appearances by George Jones, Willie Nelson, and Charlie McCoy. (Look fast or you'll completely miss Mama Cass Elliott in a concert sequence.) However, it's the way Blank just observes Russell making his music and interacting with all kinds of other (often eccentric) people that in turn gives this documentary its own offbeat charm.

Long overdue Les Blank masterpiece finally available in 2015...

[autonomy16-1 · 10/10 · 22 July 2015]

A POEM IS A NAKED PERSON IS A MASTERPIECE. So yeah, for a lot of us Les Blank fans we've been waiting a long time to see this one. And on July 9, 2015 a few of us got the chance to watch the San Francisco premiere (of its first official run) with living legend Leon Russell, not only there in person for post film talk, but he rolled in (literally) to his seat and watched the whole thing all the way through with us. Whoa! Y'see Leon Russell just came around recently and agreed to release the damn film (after 40 years) and as of that night, he's still not sure it was a good idea. Commenting toward Les' unmistakable style Leon remarked, "less of Jim Franklin's feet and more of George Jones' singing woulda been a good idea..." In Leon's defense, they probably are the ugliest feet featured in a motion picture. But that's besides the point. Les and his crew got to live on Russell's compound in Oklahoma for nearly 2 years and what they captured was not only Leon and a crazy revolving door of who's who in country and rock ca. 1972-3, but a plethora of LIFE just outside that door. Everyday life in and around nature and communities nearby. These images, "vignettes" or anecdotes shared here are mesmerizing, going against the traditional "rock doc". Yet mixed in with intimate concert & studio footage, the vibe is perfect and magically provides the music with ultimate power to bond the mundane or perhaps moments some of us may take for granted with the wildness of showbiz. This beautiful celluloid mix of Okie cultures, Nixon era hippie-ism, rock n roll AND THEN SOME creates a viable expression that's only partly about an artist and maybe more about his surroundings- both physical and cerebral. Which, for me, delivers a timeless trip not just about one artist, but where art and life are forever joined and celebrated with hardly any questions asked.

The best rock and roll film ever made

[JohnMazza316-1 · 10/10 · 24 April 2013]

This film is incredibly rare, and if you get the chance, you must see it. Les Blank screened this film to private audiences only, and now that he has passed away, who knows if it will ever be screened again. Les told me that he was waiting to see who died first, him or Leon, and if Leon died first Les would release the film. Les Blank and Leon Russell are both geniuses in their own regards, and I hope one day the rest of the world gets to see the magnificence of this masterful work of art. From time to time, a film comes along that changes the way we look at a specific object, idea, or person; this film does all three. Some of the images and sounds in this film have been burned into my mind forever, and I would love the opportunity to view this film again. Leon's work was, and still is, amazing, and this film showcases a part of his life that exhibits the true essence of rock and roll.

Leon in His Prime

[vonwileybros · 9/10 · 30 January 2024]

Leon is shown in his element-from a hand-held camera, behind-the-scenes without any adornment or attempt to glamorize the subject. Nevertheless, it comes off as a tribute to his musical power and ability to transfix his audience. George Jones and Willie both contribute songs that are as powerful as Leon. Just great music throughout.

For some reason, Leon held up the film's release for decades. According to the Bill Janovitz bio, Leon objected to a scene of a python eating a baby chick and his proximity in the narrative to this scene. His reservations were unfounded however. He is the Master of Space and Time throughout this great film.

Besides Jones and Willie, a who's who of great Nashville players drift in and out like Pete Drake, David Briggs, Charlie McCoy. Even JJ Cale-another artist on Leon's record label, Shelter-is somewhere in the film, but I couldn't find him.

The director, Les Blank, attempted to make a documentary about Leon Russell and the whole crazy scene he surrounded himself with at the height of his fame. There is a lot of room for error in this type of story, but not here. It all works, especially if you like the music in the first place.

Evocative of a time and place

[gbill-74877 · 8/10 · 15 April 2024]

In this documentary we get a portrait of the musician Leon Russell in concert and the studio, sure, but we also get a portrait of the time and place, one that Les Blank paints so naturally. He seems to let his gaze fall on things which interest him, like the way the clouds float past the sun, making it look like it's swimming through them, the shimmering of colored lights in the water at night, or a little girl singing "Joy to the World," and then lets us simply enjoy these things too. Many other artists and musicians are given a chance to shine, some amateur, some professional, like George Jones and a young Willie Nelson. It's so organic, and a perfect match to Russell's genre-blending, improvisational style.

ehhhh

[Neozealot · 3/10 · 8 October 2016]

It's a visual poem without any real narrative. It has a few interesting edits but ultimately feels incoherent. This kind of film can be interesting but at an hour and a half it fails to retain the viewers attention.

Your enjoyment of the film will largely depend on your endurance for this kind of film making.

It's an hour and a half of visuals and music with a few interesting moments scattered throughout that ultimately doesn't say much.

The value of this film stems largely from its rarity and not from its content.

Sloppy Doc

[st-shot · 5/10 · 26 February 2023]

Documentary filmmaker Les Blank turns his attention to the remarkable career and talent of musician, singer, songwriter, producer Leon Russell in this rather scattered and poorly edited doc on his life and career circa mid 70s. Enormously informative on a session player (early pop, Wrecking Crew member) who wrote hits as well as contribute mightily to others with an eclectic array of artists stretching from The Byrds to Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand to The Rolling Stones, the enigmatic Russell was indeed a major player in the music scene over his career.

Leaving The Monkees plus Mad Dogs and Englishmen behind, Russell retreats to his Oklahoma studio to record with Blank camera in tow, not only focusing on Russell but the people and culture surrounding as well. Leon an folk deserve better.

Blank's finished product is a disjointed mess held together by the charismatic Russell. Sloppily edited, the down moments are turgid and self indulgent with Russell escaping to the stage to bring the doc life and energy. There are some precious segments (George Jones warbling a tune with a beer, a young [40?] Willie Nelson on stage) but outside of Leon's stirring performances and his truly "blown away" audiences response the film is a cut and paste unkempt doc. Hopefully the future will present a more conscious effort on a man who influenced, Dylan, The Beates and Elton John.