TMS Retro Review: Stop Making Sense

(A24 Films)

While every pop fan in the country swarmed movie theaters the past week for Sam Wrench’s The Eras Tour, global superstar Taylor Swift’s new epic concert movie, I was finally catching up on a similar, but different release. Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense (1984) has long been considered a classic concert film next to rock docs like Michael Wadleigh’s Woodstock (1970), Peter Clifton & Joe Massot’s The Song Remains the Same (1976) and Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz (1978); and is probably the most anticipated re-release of the year, hitting both IMAX and standard movie screens this month. Performed by legendary new wave band Talking Heads, directed by Demme seven years before he won Best Director at the Oscars for The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and produced by Gary Goetzman before partnering with Tom Hanks to form Playtone Productions in 1997; Stop Making Sense is still essential viewing for anyone a fan of TH, 1980s pop culture and classic rock in general.

One thing I’ve found a little amusing is how The Eras Tour is apparently a whooping 168 minutes of concert footage, while Stop Making Sense has just an 88 minute runtime. Of course music fans might think, “the more the better.” But the 1984 concert doc also shows how effective tight editing and natural adrenaline can be for a live performance. The movie itself is a mix of four different shows at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre in December 1983, and for an hour and a half we now get a high quality release for old and new fans to enjoy on the giant screen. With all the flashing lights, choreographed moves, costume changes and plenty of walking and jogging in place expected.

(A24 Films)

Our entertainers are Heads bandmates David Byrne (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Jerry Harrison (lead guitar, keyboards), Tina Weymouth (bass, vocals) and Chris Frantz (drums), plus Alex Weir (additional guitar), Bernie Worrell (additional keys), Steve Scales (percussion), and Ednah Holt and Lynn Mabry (backup vocals). The setlist features Talking Heads hit singles ‘Burning Down the House,’ ‘Once in a Lifetime,’ ‘Psycho Killer,’ ‘Life During Wartime,’ and ‘Take Me to the River,’ as well as popular deep cuts like ‘Swamp,’ ‘Heaven,’ ‘Girlfriend is Better’ and ‘This Must be the Place.’

I find it funny I keep coming across people online complaining about The Eras Tour being nothing but performance material, yet Stop Making Sense is also 100% concert performance, and everyone loves it because of that. I’ll be honest, as someone who regularly listens to only a couple of Swift’s songs, I’m not in a huge hurry to witness The Eras Tour in theaters. Though it’s great so many girls and women are having a blast experiencing it with their friends. And from what I’ve heard regarding the Stop Making Sense theater screenings, the Talking Heads classic has created a similar reception from audiences. Not only appreciating the band’s talent, but also the film’s striking cinematography, sound design and editing enough to get crowds up from their seats and jam along to the songs. If you want something a little different this weekend, give Stop Making Sense a shot if it’s still playing in a theater near you, or at least on Amazon Prime if you have an account. This ain’t no party, this ain’t no disco, it’s a great band at the top of their game captured forever on camera.