Reviews
Shine A Light (12A)
OSCAR-WINNING director
Martin Scorsese is a long-time
fan of the Rolling Stones, ever
since using their songs in one of his
early movies, Raging Bull. So he's a
good choice to helm this record of
their concert at the Beacon Theatre in
New York in 2006.
Filmed with 16 cameras over two
nights, the result is the ultimate
concert film that works both as a
movie and a record of the Stones
record-breaking concert tour.
It's not too flashy, as directors can
get when faced with making
interesting for viewers what's
essentially a series of songs. But
there's enough footage away from the
stage to ensure no one gets bored.
Some of the pre-concert planning is
shown, including the design of the set
and Scorsese's continued frustration at
Jagger not giving him a list of the set
songs until just before the
performance.
Every few numbers, Scorsese inserts
archive footage to give us a chance to
see how much the Stones have aged
over four and a bit decades of
performing together.
Jagger leaves us in little doubt that
he's the leader. He chooses the set and
does an unbelievable amount of
prancing, dancing and gyrating on
stage. I'd like to know the secret of his
incredible energy.
Inevitably, the other Stones -
Richards, Wood and Watts - are alloted
less screen time but Scorsese ensures
we get a sense of the relationships
within the group, at least on stage as
off-stage footage is scarce.
As concert films go, Shine A Light is
a rocking and rolling Rolls Royce.
Starring: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie
Watts, Ronnie Wood, Jack White,
Buddy Guy, Christina Aguilera
Running time: 122 mins
Rating: Three stars
5:19pm Friday 11th April 2008
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