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Move Review: Shine a Light

Have the Rolling Stones sold out? Yes. Are they relevant to today's culture? No. Can they still rock and roll? Wow, you bet they can.

Review by Dave Bunnell

Monday, April 28, 2008

Name of Film: Shine a Light

Director: Martin Scorsese

Starring The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger, Keith Richard, Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts).

Other Significant Contributors: Jack White, Christina Aguilera, Buddy Guy, and Bill Clinton.

The Story: This is a quintessential rock concert movie, produced and directed by Martin Scorsese during a two-night benefit at New York's relatively small Beacon Theater. The concert was held to commemorate President Bill Clinton's 60th birthday, with proceeds from the $2,000 ticket price going to his charitable organization.

Review: Have the Rolling Stones sold out? Yes. Are they relevant to today's culture? No. Can they still rock and roll? Wow, you bet they can.

The title "Shine a Light" comes from one of Mick Jagger's lesser-known songs and not from John Fogerty's "The Midnight Special." This movie is the best filmed rock concert I've even experienced and I suppose I've seen them all. An all-star team of 18 cinematographers, led by camera genius Robert Richardson, shot miles of footage which was brilliantly edited over seven months by David Tedeschi, all under the meticulously watchful eye of Martin Scorsese. While I saw the movie in a "regular" theatre, it is also being shown on iMAX, which must be quite spectacular. Given a choice, I would have seen it this way.

While this concert doesn't begin to have the historical significance of Scorsese's The Last Waltz or other great rock concert films including Woodstock, Gimme Shelter, or Monterrey Pop, it is more engaging and intimate. Sitting in the movie audience is as good—or better than—a front row seat and backstage pass at the actual event.

Watching Mick Jagger's relentless cock-of-the-walk gyrating antics, stomping, dashing from one side of the stage to the other, I couldn't help but think, "my god, he's an Olympic athlete." He must have lost 20 pounds and where did it come from—he's so skinny.

And these old men can still sing—maybe not as well as they used to, but certainly good enough. Keith Richards, cigarette dangling from his mouth, still plays a mean guitar, as does Ronnie Woods. And the interplay between them—Woods leans on Richards shoulder in one poignant moment—tells you something: the Rolling Stones keep on rocking because they love it. Drummer Charlie Watts is as taciturn as ever, but from what I heard, he may be the best musician.

Highlights include Stones classics "Sympathy for the Devil," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," and "(I can't get no) Satisfaction." But, surprisingly, the best song of all was Muddy Waters' "Champagne and Reefer," performed with a little help from the great blues guitarist and singer Buddy Guy. Guy, who was 70 at the time, nearly stole the show. His powerful voice and virtuoso guitar picking was, to be honest, at a whole different level—proving, I suppose, Mick and the boys still have something to aspire to. Cameo appearances by Jack White and Christina Aguilera were barely memorable.

The majority of the people in the audience at the viewing I saw in Berkeley, California, were over the age 50. At the end of the film, some of them were yelling out, "We love you." It was a great experience.

Reason you should see this movie: If you love the Rolling Stones, you'll love this movie. Better than a front row seat and much cheaper, it's a rip-roaring experience. To see Mick Jagger strut about is awe-inspiring, and the Buddy Guy performance is worth the ticket. If you don't love the Stones, though, don't bother.

Rating:

–Reviewed by ELDR editor-in-chief Dave Bunnell of Berkeley, California

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