Watch Stop Making Sense

Stop Making Sense is an iconic concert documentary film directed by Jonathan Demme, capturing the live performances of the legendary American rock band Talking Heads during their tour in 1983. The film is widely regarded as one of the greatest concert films ever made and is credited with revolutionizing the genre. The film opens with frontman and lead singer David Byrne walking onto an empty stage with a boombox, putting on the cassette tape of "Psycho Killer," and starting to play the iconic riff on his guitar. As he continues to play, the rest of the band joins him on stage one by one until they are all playing together, building up the energy and excitement in the audience. This opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the film, with energetic, dynamic performances that are both captivating and joyous to watch.

Throughout the film, the camera focuses primarily on the band's performances, with little to no interviews or backstage footage. The band is shown playing in different configurations, starting with just Byrne on stage and gradually adding band members until the full band is playing together. The setlist includes many of the band's biggest hits, including "Burning Down the House," "Life During Wartime," and "Once in a Lifetime" as well as lesser-known songs like "Making Flippy Floppy" and "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)."

One of the hallmarks of Stop Making Sense is the use of innovative stage and lighting design that complements the band's music and performance style. The stage set is initially bare, with only a few props, and gradually becomes more elaborate as the performance progresses. The lighting design is also a standout feature, with the lights changing constantly throughout the show to match the music, creating a dynamic and immersive visual experience.

Another significant element of the film is the performance style of David Byrne, who is known for his unique and eccentric stage presence. Byrne wears an oversized suit during the performance, which has become iconic as a symbol of the band's style and aesthetic. He also incorporates a number of unusual dance moves and gestures into his performance, such as the "pogoing" motion he uses during "Burning Down the House."

Stop Making Sense also features several guest performers who join the band onstage, including keyboardist Bernie Worrell and guitarist Alex Weir. These performers add a new depth and richness to the band's sound, and the collaborative energy between the band members is palpable.

Overall, Stop Making Sense is a vibrant, engaging, and incredibly entertaining concert film that captures Talking Heads' unique sound and style at their peak. The performances are electric, the stage design is innovative, and the music is timeless. Anyone who loves great live music will enjoy this film, whether they are longtime fans of the band or discovering them for the first time.

Stop Making Sense is a 1984 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.7 and a MetaScore of 89.