Watch Neil Young Journeys

Neil Young Journeys is a 2011 documentary film, directed by Jonathan Demme, featuring the legendary Canadian rock musician Neil Young. The film is a live concert performance, with Young performing at Toronto's Massey Hall, on his 2011 solo tour. The film captures Young's personal life stories, his musical inspirations and his unique guitar playing style, which is renowned the world over.

The concert is presented in two parts. In the first part, Young starts off by introducing himself and declaring that he is from Omemee, a small town in Ontario, Canada. The audience cheers as he starts playing guitar and singing 'Peaceful Valley Boulevard'. He then talks about his father, a famous Canadian sports writer, and how he had seen Massey Hall many times. As he sings 'Ohio', Young takes the audience on a journey through the era of the Vietnam War and the Kent State Massacre, and how it left a mark on his music.

In the second part, the documentary provides a more personal look at Young's life. He travels back to his hometown of Omemee, which he hadn't visited in many years. He takes the filmmakers to a local store, where he had bought his first guitar. Young shares many stories of how the town and his family provided the inspiration behind many of his songs. He then takes the filmmakers to his childhood home, which has now been converted into a wrestling school. Young talks about how the house had affected him all his life and how the sense of nostalgia was evident throughout the entire visit.

The film also features some of Young's other classic tunes, such as 'Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)', 'Down by the River', and 'Cinnamon Girl'. The concert also features some of Young's newer songs, such as 'Hitchhiker', which had previously never been played to a live audience. As Young plays these songs, the audience is enraptured by his intense guitar playing, his distinctive voice, and his soulful melodies.

The cinematography in Neil Young Journeys captures the essence of the concert experience. The cameras roam the stage, capturing the movements of Young's guitar playing and showcasing his unique style. In a few moments, the film slows down to rare interviews with Young's older brother and his wife, as they share hidden stories from Young's past.

Neil Young Journeys is an intimate and personal account of Young's remarkable career, showcasing his raw talent and connection with his fans. It is also a journey through his life, taking the audience back to where it all began, his small Canadian hometown.

Ultimately, Neil Young Journeys is a must-see for anyone who loves great live music and captivating storytelling. The film documents the work of a legend, a musician who has left an undeniable impact on the rock and folk music genre. Demme's masterful direction and Young's unique vision create a film that is not just a live concert performance but also a portrait of a great musician and artist. It's an enlightening, inspiring, and emotional experience that will stay with viewers long after they've left the theater.

Neil Young Journeys is a 2012 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 74.