What a disappointment. A critic wrote a review that went "Moments so beautiful, it brought me to tears." Well, this movie brought me to tears all right, I was bored to tears that is. Is this a documentary? Or a concert movie? Half of this movie, no exaggeration, are close-ups of second rate (with the exception of U2) performers defiling Cohen's songs. The other half is old footage, new footage made to feel old (mostly Cohen walking about his home) and Bono going on and on about how he worships Cohen. There were a bits of pieces of clips of Cohen telling some stories, but the style is very plain. Don't get me wrong, I love Cohen, but I didn't learn much about Cohen through this experience. I learned much more about him by spending 5 minutes on the Internet (youtube, wikipedia, etc). There is a lot of interesting things to say about Cohen, but this movie fails to convey any of these. For instance, some of his best songs, "Bird on a Wire" and "Famous Blue Raincoat" (which aren't even mentioned here) were considered "unfinished" by Cohen. I would have liked to seen some of these interesting nuances examined, and I would liked to have heard Cohen's original versions sung by him as part of, shall I say it, a score to the movie. And there is plenty of old concert footage, from when Cohen was in his prime, that could have been included in a chronological telling of his life and career. But this movie has no direction, little organization, and to say that this movie does an injustice to Cohen is an understatement.
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There were some brilliant performances (Antony, Rufus Weinwright, Teddy Thompson & Perla Batalla) and some stinkers we'll just leave un-mentioned and a few well...interesting ones to put it most generously. Not surprised Cohen's stuff is not that easy to sing -even for the best of 'em. Would have liked more of Cohen himself. However? Was still nice to see the ol' gent and listen to him talk and sing (which aren't much different) I've always thought him much more the poet and far less the singer anyway.
(PS - does Bono have to stick his nose into everything? Just wondering)
Mostly worth watching for the great renditions of classic Cohen songs. Fans of Nick Cave and Rufus Wainwright especially will be pleased with this. Some of the interview segments with Cohen are fantastic, but this film tries to hard to have it both ways and ends up skimping on the biography.
For some reason or another it's super difficult for me to watch a lot of performances, and there's quite a bit of other artists performing Leonard Cohen's songs. A few are notable however, both of Nick Cave's, and all of Rufus Wainwright's. Bono's appearences throughout the movie are a bit obnoxious, but that may be because I have an unfounded dislike of Bono. This movie was worth at least a watch, at least when Cohen speaks between songs it's interesting.
cant anyone do a succesful documentary of a poet?! not as bad as dylans encounter with scorsese but this really lacked substance. even made me never want to listen to bono again. poor dumb kid. but cohen, is very interesting. they didnt do his best songs, or his best quotes or interviews.. kind of a B material. but they thru it together, tied in a weak interview current and they got this waste of time for those who dont know his music alot. i enjoyed it, but i expect im the only one.
if you've never heard of leonard cohen, or if you've heard him but don't think you like his music, you must watch this film. if you're already a fan, well, u get it. various artist describe wht the songwriting talents of cohen have done for them; some of the bands i didn't personally care for, but the overall feeling of his work is magical & the love these artists feel for his music comes across as genuine & remarkable.
Haven't seen all of it, but Rufus' performance of 'Chelsea Hotel Number Two' and 'Everybody Knows' are fantastic. Plus, Martha sings too, although I just blanked on the name of her song. Very good!
I resorted to skipping the brutal covers of Cohen's music and just watching the in between segments. Not all the music was bad--Nick Cave was pensive, Jarvis made the song his own, and of course the man himself at the end, backed by U2, reinforced why he deserved this documentary. Just wished it was a better tribute.
I love Leonard Cohen. He is a poetic genius. And his voice is like velvet.
Thanks to one of my flixster friends I now know this exsists. I am renting on my next trip to the video store.
Saw this in the cinema. Good sound quality essential to fully enjoy film. A must see for Leonard Cohen fans. Sadly his days of touring seem to be behind him although the performance of Tower of song with U2 is great. Lots of other people sang his songs well. One consistent thing throughout the film was the quality of the band.
I love Leonard Cohen, but watching people (even Nick Cave whom I also love) singing his songs and talking about him is boring. The best parts of this film were the interviews with Cohen himself.
Leonard Cohen is my musical god, and, miraculously, "I'm Your Man" captures all the poetic wit, staggering symbology, and humanistic contradictions of the man and his music. It's a tribute concert masquerading as a documentary, and fans crowed that Mr. Cohen doesn't get enough screen time. But like the greatest contemporary songsmiths -- Sondheim, Dylan, Lennon, Mitchell -- his life is in his work. And, like those artists, Cohen's music isn't merely covered. It is interpreted. The performances here are by turns meditative, frenzied, and wonderful, with Rufus and Martha, Antony, Nick Cave, and Beth Orton throwing light into to the darkest corners of Cohen's soulful music to finally prove what never needed to be proven -- his genius is singular. And when he finally steps up to sing the masterful "Tower of Song," it is not only the movie's climax. It is Mr. Cohen's apotheosis. He's our man.
Leonard Cohen is an interesting guy and I wouldn't mind watching a documentary on him. Just not this documentary. What we have here is concert footage of other people singing his songs well along with interviews with singers who enjoyed his work and when Leonard Cohen has screen time, it's barely better then a television interview. If you are a Leonard Cohen fan, don't skip this one, just don't expect much.
unreal, poet songwriter, buddhist, allround cool guy.. amazing tibutes played to the king of cool, nick cave, bono , antony and the johnstons, a must see for all cohen fans
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i enjoyed most of this documentary, but i found some of the editing distracting and also my god, bono, please shut it. the lack of leonard performances was disappointing, as was my discovery that mel gibson produced the film. i felt dirty.
Not so much a documentary as it is an intimate concert film. Doesn't really scratch the surface of his celebrity. U2, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright and others do a fine job, but the movie's stolen by Martha Wainwright and Teddy Thompson performances, respectively.
This documentary on Leonard Cohen is a very good analysis of who this singer/songwriter/poet really is. It showcases many great performances of Cohen's songs by many of today's alternative artists. Some highlights include "If It Be Your Will" by Antony and "Halleluijah" by Rufus and Martha Wainwright; as well as a rendition of "I'm Your Man" at the end of the movie by Leonard Cohen himself (accompanied by U2.) Watch if you like great songwriting and the man behind a great song.
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