JONATHAN DEMME

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBB.5. 

USA, 2006.  Clinica Estetico, Playtone, Shakey Pictures, Shangri-La Entertainment.  Cinematography by Ellen Kuras.  Produced by Jonathan Demme, Tom Hanks, Ilona Herzberg.  Music by Neil Young.  Production Design by Michael Zansky.  Costume Design by Manuel.  Film Editing by Andy Keir. 

Fans of Neil Young will be in heaven watching this documentary, but even those not previously disposed to the classic rocker’s musical oeuvre will still find a lot to like in Jonathan Demme’s concert film. It captures Young’s Prairie Wind show in Nashville, Tennessee as he performs some beautiful numbers from his latest album, written following a brain aneurysm that he believed would end his life. Backed up by a terrific band, guest instruments (including a string ensemble) and the superb talents of the unforgettable Emmylou Harris, Young sounds as powerful as ever, and Demme’s completely unobtrusive camerawork that avoids any cuts away from the show allows the music to speak for itself.