Jonathan Demme timed this idea perfectly. Talking Heads may have already been around years before and may have peaked in fame two years after but 1980-1983 marked the most frantic energy for both their music and performances. Squeezing this in for 1983 (released a year later) - after the release of Speaking in Tongues - was a true miracle. Wonderful things were born. Perhaps if Demme had come to Byrne and the gang with the idea two years prior or two years after it wouldn't have captured the true peak of Byrne's theatrics nor given him his very own ideas for the performance. It all seems like perfect timing. Perfect timing for it to be the cult film that it is.

They are one of my favourite bands, easy top five for sure, so it's insane that I have never seen this before (especially since I've heard lesser-known live albums from them) but I think it was all a blessing in disguise; a first-time experience in the theatres with my mother and grandfather in a packed room is unbeatable...

I'm willing to bet David's fueled on cocaine here despite the very valid suggestions otherwise (he truly is the type to be like that sober) but I just cannot believe this managed to keep a grin on my face for the entire thing. Overwhelming joy. I wasn't sure what the hell this was for it to be in all of them 'best films of all time' lists but now I get it. This makes me want to vomit over so many other movies. Zero pretentiousness on display here, Zero ego. Yet, still, somehow, it feels like storytelling. Like a film with a narrative.
Talking Heads can never get a documentary with interviews and all that gunk because this documents them better than anything else. They were never a band to explain themselves nor make sense of the world around them. Just a big suit with jelly legs dancing on stage for us - that's what music has always really been anyway. Stop making sense of art and run around a stage to your own song instead.

I'm not sure Jonathan Demme really had too much to do here as David Byrne and "Talking Heads" present us with a belter of a creative toe-tapper. It's a film of their concert - constructed from performances over three nights in a small Hollywood theatre, and that setting lends itself excellently to their showcase. The depth and height of the stage allows the band to arrive on set song by song, and for the camera work to get down and dirty with the band members amidst the most sparing of sets as they churn out some of the repertoire in an inimitable style that cleverly marries the intense with the entertaining, the comedic and the slightly fantastic. The audio is of an astonishingly strong quality, and the closeness and intensity of the photography makes the film really quite enthralling to watch. I am not the biggest fan of this band, but this film is really good and well worth a cinema watch - it only for that sound.

I did write an artistically brilliant rendition of my thoughts on this movie but instead I’m going to give you this: I can't seem to face up to the facts
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
Don't touch me, I'm a real live wire
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh
You start a conversation, you can't even finish it
You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
Say something once, why say it again?
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ay-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya
Ce que j'ai fait, ce soir-là
Ce qu'elle a dit, ce soir-là
Réalisant mon espoir
Je me lance vers la gloire, okay
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
We are vain and we are blind
I hate people when they're not polite
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh-oh-oh
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Fa-fa-fa-fa, fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa, better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away, oh, oh, oh, oh
Ai-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya, ooh

David Byrne walks onto the stage. The camera only shows his feet. He puts down a tape deck and says: “Hi. I’ve got a tape I want to play.” With that, the concert movie, Stop Making Sense, starts!

Jonathan Demme filmed the band, The Talking Heads, over three nights in 1983. It is a snapshot of their work through that time. The film is nothing but the concert. Yet, it's more cinematic than most movies.

Stop Making Sense has delighted me many times. Three things come to mind: the introduction, the energy, and the suit.

Introduction

Once David Byrne hits play on the tape deck, the camera zooms out. The stage is empty. You only see David Byrne in a grey suit with a guitar, a microphone, and the tape deck. "Psycho Killer" starts. His performance amplifies the strange energy of the song on the empty stage.

After "Psycho Killer", bassist Tina Weymouth joins David Byrne in a matching grey suit. The energy level comes down as they play "Heaven". You start to notice stagehands in the back. They are bringing out drums for an inevitable rise of energy that you know will come.

It doesn't take long! Drummer, Chris Frantz, joins next and the trio plays "Thank You for Sending Me an Angel." You notice the drums after their absence in the previous songs.

With each song the stage fills up and more members join. Guitarist and keyboardist Jerry Harrison. Backup vocalists Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt. Guitarist Alex Weir. Keyboardist Bernie Worrell. Percussionist Steve Scales. It's not until the sixth song, "Burning Down the House," that the full band is present on stage. Somehow, they still have energy to add to the mix after it seems they peaked in the previous song. The introduction ends with my favorite song of the concert, "Life During Wartime."

The build up is legendary. It is perfect for a concert and a film narrative.

Energy

I've started Stop Making Sense with every intent to only watch through the introduction. I fail at that every time. I stick with the concert because the energy the band puts out is infectious.

It becomes most noticeable once Lynn and Ednah join the stage. Their interactions with each other and with David Byrne in their first songs are a real treat. You start to notice other interactions between the band in the background. With each rewatch you will notice other special gems between the band members.

Then, you can consider at the physicality of the performance. At one point the entire group is running in place like it's a fitness class. It can't be easy to play live music. Factor in that physicality to the film schedule and you can't help but be impressed.

Suit

I don't have a lot to say about the suit other than David Byrne in the big suit makes me happy. It looks so bizarre and I love it. He moves well within the space of the stage. When he has the suit on those movements don't feel human. The Talking Heads deliver on their promise. It stopped making sense. Bravo! Bravo!

This movie turned me from a casual Talking Heads fan into a big fan. I cannot recommend it enough.

Rating: 10/10

"Thanks! Does anybody have any questions?"

This must have been one of the best concerts ever from any group. Just non-stop energy.

In the beginning, I must admit, I didn't know what to think, with lead singer David Byrne coming onto an empty stage, performing Psycho Killer with his fantastic guitar skills, but it felt like something was missing. Until the next song is played, and the band members and set are brought on stage, which is when all worry and early doubt fade. Going from a more intimate atmosphere to a full-on sonic explosion.

At times I had a smile on my face. There's a part during the concert where the lights go dim and David Byrne dances with a lamp and it looks visually cinematic. I've never seen anything like that before. Or what about Byrne's insane dance whilst singing; talented guy.

The backup singers as well who have this great energy to them and look so happy to be there. There were a couple of times when the other band members turn to look at each other and smile. A warm community of artists coming together to deliver works of art.

Also, Tina Weymouth's little dancing is very underrated and adorable.

Highly recommend it. You can watch it on YouTube. Here's the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oVami1uT7Q