Is It Worth the Watch?

Spike Lee’s spectacular filming of the Broadway production of David Byrne’s American Utopia is the perfect argument for Byrne’s genius status. While he is clearly the main draw here, performing songs from both his days with the ground-breaking New-Wave band The Talking Heads as well as from his solo career, the show ends up being not about him or his life, but about the American experience, filled with both criticism and, ultimately, hope.

The exuberant choreography by Annie-B Parson is made even more impressive by being performed by the eleven musicians backing up Byrne, each playing a portable and/or wireless instrument while dancing and singing. The staging, lighting and set design are imaginative and, ultimately, emotionally eliminating.

And, of course, the famous, catchy, virtuoso songs are mind-bogglingly well performed and still vitally relevant.

Is It Worth The Watch? Absolutely. It’s a unique and entertaining experience, both theatrically and cinematically. Besides, you may find yourself living in a shotgun shack, you may find yourself in another part of the world …

2020

105 minutes

Starring – David Byrne

Director – Spike Lee

Writer – David Byrne

Choreographer – Annie-B Parson

Songs – David Byrne