Neil Young Journeys (2011) User Reviews

The third in the Young/Demme series is pretty damn good

[rdoyle29 · 7/10 · 5 November 2022]

Jonathan Demme's third and final Neil Young concert film is again, quite distinct from the previous two. The tour is in support of "Le Noise", kind of a loud singer/songwriter album with Young playing long, confessional songs accompanied only by himself on electric guitar. Correspondingly, this tour is just Young alone on stage playing either acoustic or electric guitar, or occasionally piano, and playing a mix of old favourites and material from the new album.

Demme films Young playing at Massey Hall in Toronto, and they use the opportunity to also film Young in Omemee, Ontario, the small town where he grew up. The film blends Demme's, by now, signature approach to filming concerts with the loose, hand held kind of documentary he likes to shoot, although there isn't much of the latter. The "Neil visits his hometown" stuff seems a bit undercooked, though you do get to meet his brother Bob, who looks just like a slightly older, fatter Neil.

Demme's an old pro at this kind of film, and he just delivers with only one bad choice. The idea of cutting to a camera literally on Young's mic and showing extreme close-ups of him singing is ... no.

This Neil Young concert film is top notch!

[bryank-04844 · 8/10 · 22 July 2015]

I'm a big fan of Neil Young. I have loved his music since I was able to listen to it. From his solo work through his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young; Mr. Young has proved time and time again that he is a master of sound and music. Donathan Demme perfectly captures Young on his solo tour, specifically his performance at Toronto's Massey Hall, which is his birth city. If you are a fan of Neil Young, this will no doubt make a good edition to your Neil Young collection.

Before seeing the film, I expected more of a documentary than a concert film, but 'Journeys' is 95% live concert footage of Young, and 5% footage of Young driving one of his famous 1956 Ford Crown Victoria through his hometown onto the Massey Hall venue. We see Young and his brother drive in his hometown of Omemee, where he grew up, and get a glimpse of where he lived or what's left of it, as he gives us some very amusing stories of his childhood. As Young drives past new buildings and construction that is tearing down his old childhood landmarks, he remembers these old locations and old friends who are now gone and says, " It's okay that they're gone, because they're still in my head and in my heart."

Young, 66 years old now, still gives his all and sounds the same as he did when he was in his 20′s. It's some kind of special magic that he is the only person on stage performing, and still sounds like a full band that is playing every song. He switches from guitar to piano often and belts out classic tunes as well as some new ones. I loved that there were titles of each song and what year they were released that popped up on screen during each tune that was performed. The songs that were performed were Peaceful Valley Boulevard, Ohio, Down by the River, Sign of Love, Rumbling, Love and War, Leia, After the Gold Rush, I Believe in You, My, My, Hey, Hey (Out of the Blue), You Never Call,Hitchhiker, and Walk With Me. A wonderful set-list to see on film.

Demme's use of cameras during the concert was incredible. He uses unorthodox angles to showcase the artist's creativity and mood. It's very poetic and rock n' roll at the same time. One of the more unusual shots was an HD lipstick camera that was mounted to the mic stand where we only see Young's throat and mouth. At one point, a little bit of spittle from Young attacks the camera and it stays there for the duration of the song. It's as if we are that close to his genius. There are psychedelic visuals at times and shots from inside his piano looking up at Neil playing. I loved this aspect of it as it was a very artistic way of watching a concert. The sound of the film was spectacular. It's as of we were actually at Massey Hall watching Young perform live. That is possible from the 96khz recording of the music and film. My whole body rattled when the bass sounded. If I closed my eyes, it was as if I was there in person.

Neil Young's Journeys (SPOILER ALERT)

[pspad · 10/10 · 12 August 2012]

(Spoiler Alert) I thought it was an excellent movie. I am not just saying that because I am a Neil Young fan. The ticket was 7.00. It was a very good concert at Massey Hall. How much do you think the fans paid to see Neil perform live at Massey Hall that night that it was filmed? I think a movie ticket is a bargain, to see a concert, and also see when the cameras got up close and personal when Neil performed. He sang mostly songs from "Le Noise". I think he was promoting his new album at the time. I really love that album!!! I play it all the time. The sound was great, and to see Neil as close up as we did, you can almost feel his emotions (and sweat) as he sang. I have been to live concerts, and never felt as close up and personal as I did when we saw this movie. Never felt this way about Neil's performances because television screens are not as big as the movies. (You can actually see his sweat coming down his face). The camera also focuses in on his mouth and teeth, as he sang you could actually see each word come out of his mouth!!(Never seen the inside of Neil's mouth before) I also loved when he drove around his old hometown, and introduced his brother Bob. He looks just like Neil!!! My only disappointment was that the movie's too short (less than two hours, and he did not show enough of his hometown). I would have liked to know more about his brother, and heard him speak more in the movie. His son Ben was in one scene. It would have been nice to have more family time in the movie, and also more driving around the town. The cars he and his brother drove were very nice cars (both black vintage Ford, and Cadillac). He looked a bit disappointed after driving around because most of the town has changed, but he puts it into perspective when he says "it's still in my head and still in my heart". I hope this movie comes out on DVD, with added scenes to make it a bit longer. This movie WAS all about Neil, and Neil only!!! If you are a die hard, loyal Neil Young fan, then, THIS MOVIE IS FOR YOU!!!!

Good songs, but boring even for true fans!

[sgteacher3 · 3/10 · 29 July 2012]

I went in expecting a good Neil Young flick, but was very disappointed. Showing old footage of Kent State was a downer, and seemed to be put in randomly even while singing "Ohio." They could have done a much more interesting job filming his hometown, and for a while the film just goes back and forth from him driving through Ontario and performing at Massey Hall. I was surprised that I was fidgeting in my seat and feeling bored because I love his music and have been a fan for years. There are a few very soulful songs, and rock songs, and as always his music can touch your soul. That didn't make up for the weird artsy close-ups of his neck and chin, and finding yourself wondering what they were trying to achieve with those shots. Five younger women walked out halfway through when he started singing about being a grandparent, and probably couldn't relate, two other people left as well. I am kind of amazed that I didn't like it because I'm really a fan and have always loved his music, but I'm also a movie lover, and this one just didn't cut it. If you love him, rent it and you will see for yourself. If you're not a fan, then just skip it.

Only for fans, and even then it's not that great

[grantss · 5/10 · 1 September 2016]

Neil Young visits his hometown of Omemee, Ontario, and then drives to Massey Hall in Toronto for a concert. In Omemee and on the way to the concert he reminisces about his life and career. We also see the Massey Hall concert.

Really only for Neil Young fans (like me), and even then it is so-so. The non-music part should feel nostalgic and emotional, as it covers Neil Young retracing his childhood in his hometown, but just seems dull. There is no profound moment, and it just seems like one big ramble.

The music is the highlight, of course, but even that could have been better. Way too many recent Young songs, not enough classics.

Great For Fans of Young

[Michael_Elliott · 26 August 2012]

Neil Young Journeys (2011)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Jonathan Demme's third film with Neil Young is yet another winner. What we basically have is a look at the hometown of Young who then drives to Toronto where he's set to perform in the history Massey Hall that night. In between the songs from the concert, we flashback to Young telling a few stories and giving his thoughts on some subjects. NEIL YOUNG JOURNEYS isn't quite as great as HEART OF GOLD but as someone who saw two shows from the Twisted Road tour, this documentary was a great reminder of what made the shows so special. I can understand if some are wanting more of a "greatest hits" concert or if they don't want any of the new material but I found some of the strongest work to come from the new stuff. 'Lela' was a touching song and we get a truly haunting version of 'Love and War.' We also get 'You Never Call,' 'PEaceful Valley Boulevard,' 'Hitchhike' and 'Walk With Me' from the recent stuff. Older classics include 'My My, Hey Hey,' 'Ohio,' 'After the Gold Rush' and 'I Believe in You,' which is certainly one of the highlights of the show. This really isn't a straight documentary or straight concert film but the majority of the show does go to the concert footage. There are some bizarre camera shots, which really get you right up in Young's face and I'm guessing Demme did this to show the passion and fire that he performs with. A couple songs appear to have a camera on the microphone so you really get up close. If you were a fan of the Twisted Road tour then I think you're going to enjoy this even though it's missing some songs that were played then (like Cortez the Killer and Cinnamon Girl). Still, Young and Demme are truly great together and make the film worth checking out.

Couldn't Watch It - And I'm A Neil Young Fan (Of His Music Anyway)

[iamyuno2 · 5/10 · 4 January 2014]

This movie is unwatchable. I don't ditch out of movies very often but I could not slog through the boredom. Even the music is subpar.

I love Neil Young's music - at least much of his earlier catalog - but when it comes to pontification, Neil Young is no John Lennon...in other words, gems don't come from his lips. Maybe if I'd had a few beers I'd have been able to get through his rambling commentaries as he drives through areas that are of no interest. He almost seems as if he doesn't know what he's doing in this film - as if someone turned a camera on randomly and said, hey Neil, say something, we'll make a film! Doesn't work.

Jonathan Demme...what were you thinking, man? You seemed clueless in putting this movie together. A documentary needs to be thought out better. And what happened to the cutting room floor? You didn't seem to cut anything out of this film - and it's mostly warts!

I made it to 25-30 minutes and then I was bored to tears.

Sorry, Neil. You are not such a star that everything you do is interesting. How about some insights about your career, performance and song writing? Did you think at all about the people who'd pay good money to watch this flick?

It makes you wonder what the concept was here (if any thought at all was put into this movie). You can't just put a guy in a car and have him drive around to places only he cares about and call it a movie - nor can you take boring concert footage and make it work as a film.

Is this a documentary on a great songwriter on his way down? Even if that is what it is, it's too sad to watch.

This has the sadness of a Let It Be without the great music. But - as disappointing a film as it was - Let It Be provided us with insights into a band most of us idolized. Here, we get no insights whatsoever into Neil Young's musical life and he is not a man most of us idolize (if I can say so) - I believe most of us who like Neil's music simply tolerate him as a person (because the little I know about his personal life isn't all admirable).

The point is, Neil: what did you hope to accomplish here? And do you care about the audience? Narcissism is a drag. And that's the only thing that comes across in this film.

OK, Jerk gets a Film

[arfdawg-1 · 1/10 · 28 September 2019]

Neil Young proves he was a self-absorbed a-hole even as a young kind -- he blew up a turtle with a firecracker!!!!!! What a jerk.

Another example f those idiots who tell you to do as they say not as they do.

He drives around suburban Toronto in an old extremely gas guzzling old car that takes leaded fuel. Jerk.

Let's not forget the legion of fans he ripped off with his Pono scam.