Leonard Cohen, I’m Your Man
Saw the first (1pm) matinee at the Film Forum in New York City on Thursday, June 22. Marquee had three films – after I’m Your Man it showed “Wonderful – Holden NYTimes.” Postcards and posters were everywhere, and there was a bulletin board in the lobby with other photos and reviews. Film Forum promoted it very well in my opinion, and Lionsgate is also running recurring NYTimes and Village Voice advertisements.
Our show played to an over half-filled auditorium, which I think is ok for weekday afternoon. Clerk confirmed it had great opening day attendance, including a sold out 8pm show with Lian Q&A. The good numbers are positive, but it was very much a predominately senior audience. At 65, I felt I was younger than the average viewer. Audience seemed about evenly divided between couples and singles – male and female.
I loved the film. I had worried that I was not going to like the cutting back and forth between interviews and song performances, but that technique was brilliantly executed and provided balance to the film. I knew I would be disappointed by some of the performances I knew had not made the cut – Perla’s Bird on a Wire, Julie’s Singer Must Die, and Cave’s Diamonds in the Mine. Still wish they were there, but every artist had quality face time on the screen, and not one selection seemed in any way “unworthy.” My sincere hope is that the dvd release can include many pure performance outtakes as extras.
On the interview side, there are great Cohen chat pieces, wonderful old photos of Leonard and Esther as babes, and I enjoyed all the artists’ comments. As one reviewer said, it was almost reverential in the respect all showed for the greatest singer songwriter in our time. I was also pleased to see several clips of Hal Willner, because up till now I thought he was maybe overlooked for his great production efforts. Feel much better about his recognition after seeing the film.
As expected from having seen Brooklyn 2003 show and reading the advances, probably Perla and Julie’s “Anthem” and Antony’s “If It be Your Will” stand out strongest, but all performances were inspired. The band should also not be overlooked – Stephen Bernstein again brought together a great group of musicians who consistently made each song even better.
I had only one small complaint, and someone else has mentioned this. Although it didn’t bother me the first 20 minutes or so, after a while the consistent use of extreme close-ups started to be a distraction. That technique was used both for both musical performances and for interviews. That did not keep me from loving the film though. I will see it again if it plays anywhere nearby in suburbia, and I will eagerly await the dvd to be seen in my home.
This film is a “can’t miss” for a Cohen fan, and hopefully it will gain some new fans as well. Many thanks are owed Lunson, Willner, and our wonderful performing friends.
PS --- we enjoyed Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris in a sold-out live performance at Radio City Music Hall the evening after the movie. They were wonderful, but the Cohen movie is what is still on my mind the next day!
pps -- looking forward to seeing lightning's video on the Q and A and reading any of her opinions on the film as well.
Dick
Fan Take on I'm Your Man film
Thanks very much for your great review, Dick 
! It's good to hear what 'one of us' thinks... I look forward to Lightning's report, too. I WISH I could see it wide screen like you two/three [Richard McGraw] did!! That's always, by far, my preference for a film that I know I will like... the video recaptures the feeling of the original viewing later, but first time out, give me W................I................D................E screen!!! It remains unbelievable to me that Julie's and Perla's masterpieces missed the cut, especially if they were up to their par of what they were in New York when I saw them!!!
Mark [I have one cd of his, given to me by a longtime fan of his] and Emmylou ~ great combination.
Okay, Lightning ~ You're ON
!!!
~ Lizzy
! It's good to hear what 'one of us' thinks... I look forward to Lightning's report, too. I WISH I could see it wide screen like you two/three [Richard McGraw] did!! That's always, by far, my preference for a film that I know I will like... the video recaptures the feeling of the original viewing later, but first time out, give me W................I................D................E screen!!! It remains unbelievable to me that Julie's and Perla's masterpieces missed the cut, especially if they were up to their par of what they were in New York when I saw them!!!Mark [I have one cd of his, given to me by a longtime fan of his] and Emmylou ~ great combination.
Okay, Lightning ~ You're ON
!!!~ Lizzy
Thanks for that review Dick, it's good to hear another cohenfan's opinion of it , after Anne saw the premiere of it back in September last year (have we really been waiting that long for it?). And now I for one have to wait even longer to see it in person...
PS - lucky you seeing Knopfler and Harris! That must have been great, and I do love their album together.
Tim
PS - lucky you seeing Knopfler and Harris! That must have been great, and I do love their album together.
Tim
I saw the movie this afternoon. I gotta be honest, I was a little underwhelmed. I didn't like how you just got these small little snippets of Leonard talking. I felt like there was no continous story or thread connecting anything. It was just Leonard talking about some random little thing for a minute and then a song. Then it cuts to more boring interview with other people, then back to a song. And Leonard's performance where he lip-syncs to an overdubbed vocal was cringe-worthy and pathetic.
It just feels like a big random mess. I can't imagine how anyone would think this is a great documentary if they are not a Cohen fan. I enjoyed some of the performances. The ones by Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Beth Orton, Jarvis Cocker and Antony really stood out....and I also liked the version of "tonight will be fine" by some guy i don't know.
Overall, I was mildly entertained, probably only because i'm a big Cohen fan. I'd rather watch "Ladies and gentleman, mr. leonard cohen" anytime over this.
Sorry to sound so negative
It just feels like a big random mess. I can't imagine how anyone would think this is a great documentary if they are not a Cohen fan. I enjoyed some of the performances. The ones by Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Beth Orton, Jarvis Cocker and Antony really stood out....and I also liked the version of "tonight will be fine" by some guy i don't know.
Overall, I was mildly entertained, probably only because i'm a big Cohen fan. I'd rather watch "Ladies and gentleman, mr. leonard cohen" anytime over this.
Sorry to sound so negative
blue sky in the velcro
my name is matt, but you can call me regis
my name is matt, but you can call me regis
I sat in the second row as I was about to video Lian, document the documenter, as it were. Seated next to me was professional videographer Mitch Corber who interviewed Leonard in the '80's, and has been documenting the downtown scene for a long time. He was generous in giving me tips about filming which I could well use, because I just got my camera this year. When Lian came out I first observed that she was a pretty longhaired blonde, just Leonard's cup of tea, and wondered if she would have gotten those lunchtime interviews if she had been mousey -haired, dumpy, pimpled and obese. But I digress.
The Film Forum' rep confiscated our cameras during the film but returned them for the Q & A. No bootlegs, please.
From being right on top of the screen, I enjoyed the extreme close ups. They were the strongest feature of the film I thought. You could see every pore, every wrinkle, every blackhead on all the subjects faces, and they all had them except Rufus. He must spend a lot of time at the beauty parlor (or go so far for beauty!)
As for the music, cover versions are only cover versions. I saw them already at the Brooklyn shows. I would have preferred to hear Leonard singing his own songs but Lian explained she made promises to these performers and wanted to interest the new generation in Leonard's work through them. For me, none were as moving, deep, and well wrought as the originals. I do like Perla and Julie best of all of them. Rufus emotes but it's only emoting. Maybe I am a tough customer. Leonard's performance of the Tower of Song sounded just like the record's. I wondered if it were lip synched.
The interviews were entertaining but I forget what was said. I've heard so many Leonard Cohen interviews . For people who haven't heard so many, he will be fascinating.
The film was well made, mostly realistic, with a minimum of digital camera gimmicks thrown in for flavor, like grainy pictures, red dots,etc.
The video I took came out dark (film noir ?) but experts say it can be brightened. I have to wait for permission from Lian and the Film Forum before I can post it publically. The Film Forum's website promises to podcast the Q & A but one video is worth many thousand words.
The Film Forum' rep confiscated our cameras during the film but returned them for the Q & A. No bootlegs, please.
From being right on top of the screen, I enjoyed the extreme close ups. They were the strongest feature of the film I thought. You could see every pore, every wrinkle, every blackhead on all the subjects faces, and they all had them except Rufus. He must spend a lot of time at the beauty parlor (or go so far for beauty!)
As for the music, cover versions are only cover versions. I saw them already at the Brooklyn shows. I would have preferred to hear Leonard singing his own songs but Lian explained she made promises to these performers and wanted to interest the new generation in Leonard's work through them. For me, none were as moving, deep, and well wrought as the originals. I do like Perla and Julie best of all of them. Rufus emotes but it's only emoting. Maybe I am a tough customer. Leonard's performance of the Tower of Song sounded just like the record's. I wondered if it were lip synched.
The interviews were entertaining but I forget what was said. I've heard so many Leonard Cohen interviews . For people who haven't heard so many, he will be fascinating.
The film was well made, mostly realistic, with a minimum of digital camera gimmicks thrown in for flavor, like grainy pictures, red dots,etc.
The video I took came out dark (film noir ?) but experts say it can be brightened. I have to wait for permission from Lian and the Film Forum before I can post it publically. The Film Forum's website promises to podcast the Q & A but one video is worth many thousand words.
Last edited by lightning on Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
Thanks Lightning -- look forward to your video. I also won't mind reevaluating my reaction to the close-ups. (My wife did mention them also for what its worth). Of course all us Cohen addicts would prefer just Leonard, but the scope of this film wasn't his performances. I was very pleased his interviews and the other segments that showed him were as comprehensive as they were.
Linda is a huge fan of Rufus, so she was pleased he got three songs. I think he did ok on all as well, but may have made other choices if it were my decision.
By the way, I still don't like having female backup on Hallelujah do the lines "remember when I moved in you, the holy dove was moving too." Seems to me the wonderful eroticism is compromised by that gender change. Am I all wet, or does anybody else agree with me?
Linda is a huge fan of Rufus, so she was pleased he got three songs. I think he did ok on all as well, but may have made other choices if it were my decision.
By the way, I still don't like having female backup on Hallelujah do the lines "remember when I moved in you, the holy dove was moving too." Seems to me the wonderful eroticism is compromised by that gender change. Am I all wet, or does anybody else agree with me?
Don't mean to dominate the thread, but since I started it ...
I sent my write-up, without the close up paragraph, to Lian, and got this very nice reply this morning. Pleased to hear the dvd should have many more extras. Also agree with Lian that Film Forum was a good venue -- top quality projection and sound, especially considering it has been there for decades.
Thanks so much Dick..Dont worry DVD will have more gems...Also the soundtrack will have so many more songs.
I could not include all the songs that I wanted to, and that made it very hard.
I had never seen the Film Forum space, but I thought it was beautifully suited and intimate for the film.
Lian
I sent my write-up, without the close up paragraph, to Lian, and got this very nice reply this morning. Pleased to hear the dvd should have many more extras. Also agree with Lian that Film Forum was a good venue -- top quality projection and sound, especially considering it has been there for decades.
Thanks so much Dick..Dont worry DVD will have more gems...Also the soundtrack will have so many more songs.
I could not include all the songs that I wanted to, and that made it very hard.
I had never seen the Film Forum space, but I thought it was beautifully suited and intimate for the film.
Lian
fan take on I'm Your Man film
I won a free pass for the Monday night screening from NPR radio.
They overbooked and I almost didn't get in.
I was the last person to make the cut and ended up in the first row - talk
about your extreme close-ups!!
I enjoyed everything about it and plan to see it again from a more reasonable distance. It brought back memories of the tribute concert
in Brooklyn.
I would love to get the DVD with all the extras!
evelyn
They overbooked and I almost didn't get in.
I was the last person to make the cut and ended up in the first row - talk
about your extreme close-ups!!
I enjoyed everything about it and plan to see it again from a more reasonable distance. It brought back memories of the tribute concert
in Brooklyn.
I would love to get the DVD with all the extras!
evelyn
-
Gypsy_Wife
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2003 8:34 pm
- Location: California, USA
Find the Podcast of the Interview with Lian at this address:
http://www.filmforum.org/podcast/index.html
http://www.filmforum.org/podcast/index.html
Looking forward to watching and hearing this . Thanks, everyone, who's helping in that. I believe my feeling on the songs ~ because of having seen a few clips already ~ will be the same as yours, Lightning. I prefer Julie and Perla's renderings.
Lucky ~ lucky ~ you, Evelyn! All the way around!! What a blessing your entrance and then seating turned out to be! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Looking forward to your review, Gypsey Wife ~ It's great to see you here!!
~ Lizzy
. Thanks, everyone, who's helping in that. I believe my feeling on the songs ~ because of having seen a few clips already ~ will be the same as yours, Lightning. I prefer Julie and Perla's renderings.Lucky ~ lucky ~ you, Evelyn! All the way around!! What a blessing your entrance and then seating turned out to be! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Looking forward to your review, Gypsey Wife ~ It's great to see you here!!
~ Lizzy
-
Gypsy_Wife
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2003 8:34 pm
- Location: California, USA
I went with my husband, Howard, and daughters, Ruth and Leah, to a screening of “Leonard Cohen I’m Your Man” Saturday night, 24 June. It was part of the LA Film Festival. The venue was an amphitheater originally built for a “Passion Play.” It is the first time I have been in the theater and I was really taken with how beautiful it is. There is seating for 1,000 people and it was sold out. The audience was a cross between show business people and Leonard Cohen fans. Well that is the way the evening started, I would say by the time it was over they were all fans.
Before the movie was shown there was a mini concert. Perla Batalla was first on stage and sang "Bird on a Wire," which was followed by Julie Christensen doing "A Singer Must Die." Then Martha came out on the side stage and sang a solo of "The Traitor." She was then joined by Perla and Julie for three more songs, "Chelsea Hotel #2," "You Know Who I Am" and "Tower of Song." The highlight of the evening was when Lian said “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen.” (It was at this point the batteries in my camera died, @#$%^&*!) He came out, received a standing ovation from the sold out crowd. He thanked the audience with some beautifully crafted phrases, and then said was retreating to the green room to confront the "inevitable moral pneumonia that follows on a blizzard of praise."
The movie began and the songs of Leonard Cohen were presented by singers both familiar and unknown to us. My daughters and I had never heard Antony and really enjoyed his rendition of "If it Be Your Will", I still get goosebumps remembering it. Perla and Julie singing of "Anthem" may well have been the strongest performance, but that is a hard call. Nick Cave was amazing, and the Wainwright / McGarrigle family are so talented it is awe inspiring. Rufus rendition of “Everybody Knows” was really terrific. Ruth said she would rather have heard Nick Cave sing “Hallelujah.” This was only because she has heard Rufus sing it and thought it would be interesting to hear someone else. The concert footage is great as are the interviews with Leonard and those involved in the concert tour and “The Edge”.
We enjoyed the movie for the most part. There were a few obvious artsy additions, like the grainy grayscale video and the use of the same phrase repeating over itself like a scratched record, which were unnecessary and distracting. Interesting thing is all four of this agreed on this point. We all thuroughly enjoyed the footage of Leonard and Esther growing up, what a treat to be allowed to share those.
While not a big fan of the music, my husband was really taken with Leonard as a person. Howard was also quite impressed with the poetry and the way he uses language.
The four of us were united on one thing though; we were thoroughly sick of Bono by the time the movie ended. When Bono was being interviewed it appeared to us that he thought this was all about him. His words of “tribute” for Leonard gave the impression he was giving a eulogy. The collaboration with Bono and Leonard was the weakest segment in the movie. It would have been better to hear Leonard paired with Perla and Julie again.
At one point in the film Leonard alluded to the fact that touring was becoming an appealing prospect for him
. This was greeted by much applause. It is really exciting to think that he might tour again.
Before the movie was shown there was a mini concert. Perla Batalla was first on stage and sang "Bird on a Wire," which was followed by Julie Christensen doing "A Singer Must Die." Then Martha came out on the side stage and sang a solo of "The Traitor." She was then joined by Perla and Julie for three more songs, "Chelsea Hotel #2," "You Know Who I Am" and "Tower of Song." The highlight of the evening was when Lian said “Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Leonard Cohen.” (It was at this point the batteries in my camera died, @#$%^&*!) He came out, received a standing ovation from the sold out crowd. He thanked the audience with some beautifully crafted phrases, and then said was retreating to the green room to confront the "inevitable moral pneumonia that follows on a blizzard of praise."
The movie began and the songs of Leonard Cohen were presented by singers both familiar and unknown to us. My daughters and I had never heard Antony and really enjoyed his rendition of "If it Be Your Will", I still get goosebumps remembering it. Perla and Julie singing of "Anthem" may well have been the strongest performance, but that is a hard call. Nick Cave was amazing, and the Wainwright / McGarrigle family are so talented it is awe inspiring. Rufus rendition of “Everybody Knows” was really terrific. Ruth said she would rather have heard Nick Cave sing “Hallelujah.” This was only because she has heard Rufus sing it and thought it would be interesting to hear someone else. The concert footage is great as are the interviews with Leonard and those involved in the concert tour and “The Edge”.
We enjoyed the movie for the most part. There were a few obvious artsy additions, like the grainy grayscale video and the use of the same phrase repeating over itself like a scratched record, which were unnecessary and distracting. Interesting thing is all four of this agreed on this point. We all thuroughly enjoyed the footage of Leonard and Esther growing up, what a treat to be allowed to share those.
While not a big fan of the music, my husband was really taken with Leonard as a person. Howard was also quite impressed with the poetry and the way he uses language.
The four of us were united on one thing though; we were thoroughly sick of Bono by the time the movie ended. When Bono was being interviewed it appeared to us that he thought this was all about him. His words of “tribute” for Leonard gave the impression he was giving a eulogy. The collaboration with Bono and Leonard was the weakest segment in the movie. It would have been better to hear Leonard paired with Perla and Julie again.
At one point in the film Leonard alluded to the fact that touring was becoming an appealing prospect for him
. This was greeted by much applause. It is really exciting to think that he might tour again.Here's to the few
who forgive what you do
and the fewer who don't even care
who forgive what you do
and the fewer who don't even care
Thanks for your lovely, flowing review, Gypsey Wife.
I appreciated your physical description of the venue. It felt like being there.
One of my favourite of your lines:
and
of course
Your quotation marks and the connection between blizzards and pneumonia make it appear you remembered this verbatim .
Some come to Leonard more slowly. I hope this is the case with your husband. He's certainly got a good start.
Thanks. This flowed beautifully.
~ Lizzy
I appreciated your physical description of the venue. It felt like being there.
One of my favourite of your lines:
Well that is the way the evening started, I would say by the time it was over they were all fans.
and
of course
the "inevitable moral pneumonia that follows on a blizzard of praise."
Your quotation marks and the connection between blizzards and pneumonia make it appear you remembered this verbatim
.Some come to Leonard more slowly. I hope this is the case with your husband. He's certainly got a good start.
Thanks. This flowed beautifully.
~ Lizzy
I went to see the film again yesterday. It was interesting to see it in this atmosphere. The last time I saw the film (thanks to my well connected friend) I was at the premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, in VIP seats, with a producer, in the row behind Hal Wilner, the film was introduced by Lian and Bono, and I went to the opening party after! This time, I went to the movies with my ex and we went to a coffee shop afterwards!
Seeing the film a second time was an interesting experience. I still enjoyed it very much, as did my friend. Martha's performance of The Traitor is fantastic. It is also wonderful to hear Leonard speak about the song in the way that he does. I find it very moving. The other performance I really love is the Teddy Thomson one of Tonight we'll be fine. Just Great. I was again struck by Nick Cave's version of Suzanne. I have never liked that song at all, but he pulled it off for me. I also found what Leonard said about the material Lian gathered interesting. Most of the historical documentary stuff in the movie worked for me even though some of it was familiar from other sources. Yes, I found it all quite moving. I also enjoyed almost all of the performances. Some of the interviews we just charming. Rufus was funny. I did not mind the Edge. When discussing the movie with my friend, neither of us were very fond of Bono either, so we share that with Gypsey_Wife. In fact, I would have been happy if Lian had left off Leonard's performance with U2. I found it mannered and artificial and it was nothing like the fantastic performance he gave here in Toronto in May. It looked dubbed and some points Bono was the only one you could hear singing. If Leonard is on stage, would prefer to hear Leonard, not Bono! All in all it was an enjoyable film, I am looking forward to the soundtrack. I am sure I will get the DVD, too.
Seeing the film a second time was an interesting experience. I still enjoyed it very much, as did my friend. Martha's performance of The Traitor is fantastic. It is also wonderful to hear Leonard speak about the song in the way that he does. I find it very moving. The other performance I really love is the Teddy Thomson one of Tonight we'll be fine. Just Great. I was again struck by Nick Cave's version of Suzanne. I have never liked that song at all, but he pulled it off for me. I also found what Leonard said about the material Lian gathered interesting. Most of the historical documentary stuff in the movie worked for me even though some of it was familiar from other sources. Yes, I found it all quite moving. I also enjoyed almost all of the performances. Some of the interviews we just charming. Rufus was funny. I did not mind the Edge. When discussing the movie with my friend, neither of us were very fond of Bono either, so we share that with Gypsey_Wife. In fact, I would have been happy if Lian had left off Leonard's performance with U2. I found it mannered and artificial and it was nothing like the fantastic performance he gave here in Toronto in May. It looked dubbed and some points Bono was the only one you could hear singing. If Leonard is on stage, would prefer to hear Leonard, not Bono! All in all it was an enjoyable film, I am looking forward to the soundtrack. I am sure I will get the DVD, too.