Berlin (2007)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Julian Schnabel

Release Date:

7 March 2008 (Finland)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

Lou Reed's 2006 live concert performance of his 1973 concept album "Berlin", filmed over five nights at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York. |

Cast

Lou Reed	...	Himself
Fernando Saunders	...	Himself
Sharon Jones	...	Herself
Antony Hegarty	...	Himself (as Antony)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Brooklyn Youth Chorus	...	Themselves
Steve Hunter	...	Himself
Emmanuelle Seigner	...	Caroline
Tony Thunder Smith	...	Himself
Rob Wasserman	...	Himself

Also Known As:

Lou Reed's Berlin (Australia) (DVD title) (New Zealand: English title) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for brief language.

Runtime:

Canada:85 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A | Singapore:PG | Finland:S | USA:PG-13 | Sweden:Btl | Japan:PG-12 | Portugal:M/6 | Australia:PG | New Zealand:PG

Filming Locations:

St. Ann's Warehouse - 38 Water Street, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Waterboy Productions

For The Fans, Mostly.

This is a film of Lou Reed performing his 1973 album "Berlin", along with images in the background of actress Emmanuelle Seigner (different ones, not a continuous film). On stage there is a great band (Fernando Saunders and Tony Smith are a great rhythm section), but the revelation is guitarist Steve Hunter, who was the main player on "Berlin". Where has he been lately, he still sounds great. There are also string and horn players, as well as a choir. If you're a fan of Lou's, you'll like this. If you aren't, you'll appreciate the musicianship, but not the music. Lou Reed is such an indifferent performer. As a longtime fan (I was too young for the Velvets, but know him from "Street Hassle" on), I've always felt that Lou plays it way too straight. He is just not that dynamic, its not like watching Springsteen, Billy Joel, i.e. artists that sound like the music greatly moves them. This detracts from the power of "Berlin". Steve Hunter provides most of the great guitar work (Lou is a great rhythm guitar player, so that makes sense), and I did appreciate this film. Particularly, "How Do You Think It Feels" and "The Bed" sound great with this group, but you'll never be able to replicate the harrowing "The Kids" live. If you've heard the studio version, you'll know what I mean. So, this is it: Dust off your copy of "Berlin", then watch this film. If you're a fan, you'll like it a lot. If you aren't, this won't convert you. You can still appreciate the music, though. I liked it. Its meant to be played loud.