Watch Paul Simon: The Concert in Hyde Park

Paul Simon: The Concert in Hyde Park is a 2017 documentary concert film featuring legendary musician Paul Simon. The movie covers a memorable concert held in London's iconic Hyde Park in July 2012, as part of Simon's 'Graceland' tour. The film opens with an aerial view of the crowd in the park, with thousands of people gathered, ready to watch the show. The camera then takes us backstage to see Simon and his band preparing to take the stage. As the concert kicks off, we are treated to a series of classic Simon tracks. He immediately gets the crowd going with "Kodachrome" and "Gone at Last".

Throughout the film, we get interviews with Simon, his bandmates, and fans who attended the concert. They discuss the impact of Simon's music on their lives and the wider world. We also learn more about the inspiration behind Simon's music, including his experiences traveling in Africa and South America, and his interest in a diverse range of musical styles.

One of the highlights of the movie is Simon's performance of "Graceland", the title track of one of his most popular albums. The song combines African rhythms and gospel-inspired harmonies to create a truly uplifting experience. Simon's voice is as strong and emotive as ever, and he clearly enjoys performing this particular track. The park is lit up with glowing mobile phones and swaying arms, as the audience sing the chorus back to him.

Other standout tracks include "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard", "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes", and "You Can Call Me Al". During "Call Me Al", Simon invites the crowd to sing along with the chorus, creating a joyous and communal atmosphere. The camera pans across the sea of smiling faces, as everyone surrenders to the music.

In between the songs, the film cuts to footage of Simon in rehearsal, discussing musical arrangements with his band. He talks about the challenges of performing live and the importance of staying present in the moment. He also reflects on his career, admitting that he never knew where he was going to end up or what he was going to do next.

The film is interspersed with incredible aerial shots of the park, which give a sense of the scale and energy of the event. We see everything from groups of friends dancing to families enjoying a picnic. It's clear that Simon's music has been a soundtrack to multiple generations, and the concert reflects that.

One of the most poignant moments of the movie comes towards the end, as Simon brings out his former bandmate, Art Garfunkel, to perform "The Boxer" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The two musicians, who haven't performed together since 2010, share a warm hug before launching into the songs. The audience cheers and sings along, clearly moved by the reunion.

Overall, Paul Simon: The Concert in Hyde Park is a beautifully shot and edited film that celebrates one of the most important voices in 20th century music. Simon's passion and dedication to his craft shine through in every moment of the show, and the film does an excellent job of capturing the excitement and emotion of the event. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a newcomer to his music, this concert film is a must-see.

Paul Simon: The Concert in Hyde Park is a 2017 music movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 12 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.6.