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Special Features
- Commentary by director Lian Lunson
- A Conversation with Leonard Cohen
- Never-Before-Seen musical performances
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Leonard Cohen--songwriter, poet, former monk, ladies man, and sharp dresser--receives a near-hagiographical treatment in I'm Your Man, a part concert-part documentary in which his work is interpreted by an array of singers. Cohen tributes are nothing new, what with Jennifer Warnes' Famous Blue Raincoat and the multi-artist compilations Tower of Song and I'm Your Fan having preceded this one. But music producer Hal Willner, who has spearheaded similar projects focusing on Thelonious Monk, Kurt Weill, Harold Arlen, and Charles Mingus, is especially skilled at putting together rosters of diverse and unexpected artists, and he's done it again here, matching superstars U2 with the likes of Nick Cave, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Kate's offspring Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Beth Orton, Antony Hegarty (of the group Antony and the Johnsons), Jarvis Cocker, and others. Whether all of this works or not will naturally depend on the viewer's point of view. Cohen is no one's idea of a great singer, but he's certainly a distinctive one, with his ocean-deep basso profundo and the slow insinuations of a guy who, having been a Zen monk, certainly understands the virtues of patience; his lyrics, too, are sui generis, personal but rarely mawkish, at once plain and cryptic. To these ears, performances by Orton ("Sisters of Mercy"), Teddy Thompson ("Tonight Will Be Fine"), and the Handsome Family with Linda Thompson ("A Thousand Kisses Deep") come closest to capturing Cohen's spirit without actually impersonating him. On the other hand, the overly mannered stylings of the McGarrigles and Wainwrights are an acquired taste, at best; Rufus' louche posing, affected vocal delivery, and cute, tango-esque arrangement of "Everybody Knows" pretty much overwhelm the song (he's much better on "Chelsea Hotel No. 2"), and Martha's "The Traitor" is scant improvement. Cohen himself appears on just one number ("Tower of Song," with U2), but interview segments are scattered throughout director Lian Lunson's film; now in his seventies, he seems to delight in perpetuating his own legend, serving up elusive comments like "I was alive in the horror" and "Things got easier when I stopped expecting to win." Bonus material includes deleted scenes and more. --Sam Graham
Product Description
Sure to please both die-hard Cohen fans and the newly initiated, this film is full of captivating music and offers an intimate portrait of a truly singular artist, poet, songwriter, cultural icon.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 64 people found the following review helpful
Saw this film at the Los Angeles premiere end of June 2006 - the film is full of love for the creative talent of an extraordinary wordsmith whose music mystically takes his words to an even higher vibration.
the film is so real the audience gave standing ovations for performances in the film!!!
And Leonard himself came out to thank the audience, saying he was retiring to the green room to fortify himself with a drink to deal with "the moral pneumonia that comes after the blizzard of praise."
OBTW - he did say he was thinking of going on tour again - at 71 - imagine!
the film is so real the audience gave standing ovations for performances in the film!!!
And Leonard himself came out to thank the audience, saying he was retiring to the green room to fortify himself with a drink to deal with "the moral pneumonia that comes after the blizzard of praise."
OBTW - he did say he was thinking of going on tour again - at 71 - imagine!
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By kaioatey
Leonard Cohen's music brings together poetry, melody, sensuality and spirit in a way that hasn't been matched by any other performer i know. This movie alludes to the magic of Cohen's work but cannot fully capture it as it focuses most of its time on performers who, while trying hard, fall short of what was asked of them.
As a previous reviewer quipped, I'd much prefer to see more of the man and less of the fans. I found myself fidgeting whenever the camera focused on others. Especially the Wainwrights seemed to be all over the place, undeservedly so, IMHO; and Nick Cave was vaguely dissapointing with his Sinatra mannerisms. I liked the piece by Anthony (who I haven't heard of before) and especially the closing performance by Bono and his buddies together with Cohen; it was touching to see the respect these guys have for the old aristocrat.
I have a lot of affection for Cohen and was sincerely touched by this movie. The humility, the nobility of character and mind and the sheer power of presence that emanate from Leonard show how a well-spent life looks like.
As a previous reviewer quipped, I'd much prefer to see more of the man and less of the fans. I found myself fidgeting whenever the camera focused on others. Especially the Wainwrights seemed to be all over the place, undeservedly so, IMHO; and Nick Cave was vaguely dissapointing with his Sinatra mannerisms. I liked the piece by Anthony (who I haven't heard of before) and especially the closing performance by Bono and his buddies together with Cohen; it was touching to see the respect these guys have for the old aristocrat.
I have a lot of affection for Cohen and was sincerely touched by this movie. The humility, the nobility of character and mind and the sheer power of presence that emanate from Leonard show how a well-spent life looks like.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Hagiography is a perfect fit for what it seems was attempted with this movie. And Leonard deserves just that, but done well. What is up with that strange noise the director hits us over the head with implying Leonard's 'mystic' status? Is it wind? Music? Definately annoying and totally uncalled for. When Leonard speaks let the audience determine if what he is saying is profound/esoteric, etc without the parlor tricks. Geez. It made what was happening so amateurish (that 'noise') and cheapened the reality of what was being heard and seen.
The reverence by the performers was well represented. I didn't much care for the cd that was born of this dvd. Many of the performances seemed too campy, as if they were competing for the best off-kilter interpretation of what are Leonard classics. It was infinately better to watch and listen as opposed to just listening to the cd. Antony is the best exception to the 'interpretive wars' (see my cd review for details). He out shines all with "If It Be Your Will" honoring its original ambiance with his voice that just makes you want to cry and you don't know why.
I know Leonard embraced Lian's making of this piece and I can tell she is truly enamoured of him and his talents, but the story is badly presented. The weird noises, the strange use of visuals and the camera actions make you think more about the 'film' being made instead of the content, like an annoying fingerprint showing up on each frame of the screen. She should have remained invisible and let the story speak for itself.
I hope someone puts together a 'hagiography' of Leonard that does let him show up without all the nonsense.
That said, buy it! Leonard is in it. I will, despite all watch it again.
Regards,
Laurie
The reverence by the performers was well represented. I didn't much care for the cd that was born of this dvd. Many of the performances seemed too campy, as if they were competing for the best off-kilter interpretation of what are Leonard classics. It was infinately better to watch and listen as opposed to just listening to the cd. Antony is the best exception to the 'interpretive wars' (see my cd review for details). He out shines all with "If It Be Your Will" honoring its original ambiance with his voice that just makes you want to cry and you don't know why.
I know Leonard embraced Lian's making of this piece and I can tell she is truly enamoured of him and his talents, but the story is badly presented. The weird noises, the strange use of visuals and the camera actions make you think more about the 'film' being made instead of the content, like an annoying fingerprint showing up on each frame of the screen. She should have remained invisible and let the story speak for itself.
I hope someone puts together a 'hagiography' of Leonard that does let him show up without all the nonsense.
That said, buy it! Leonard is in it. I will, despite all watch it again.
Regards,
Laurie
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice tribute and primer
I liked this video a lot, as an avid and longtime L. Cohen fan. The selection of artists covering Cohen songs was perhaps not whom I would have picked, but generally the covers... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Peter M. Koneazny
3.0 out of 5 stars
I couldn't watch it all ... kinda dull
I am a Leonard Cohen fan, but this didn't do it for me. It dragged on, there wasn't enough diversity in musicians and storyline. Read more
Published 6 days ago by melinda head
1.0 out of 5 stars
wrong format
I have received the wrong format on this video, located in Europe, we need PAL 2, I received (SECAM) 1. What do I do with it now?
Published 9 days ago by Johanna Mosselman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great artist
I have been listening to Leonard Cohen for many years and he still can't sing as such, but his words are amazing and always move me.
Published 17 days ago by suebinny
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great music, great commentary. Moving experience!
I have always enjoyed Cohen, and this took it to a whole new level of emotional connection. Great experience for the long time fan or the first time listener!
Published 1 month ago by Bloughs
5.0 out of 5 stars
Worth Watching
As someone who prefers Leonard Cohen songs performed by Leonard Cohen and having read some of the negative reviews, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed watching this. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Eclectic Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars
he's the man
nice mix of music and background. the mans voice ( speaking as well as singing ) is amazing. the concert footage is superb. Read more
Published 1 month ago by lucy shadle
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE BEST
I'm a Leonard Cohen fan and this DVD is well worth viewing. It is biographical and songs are interspersed throughout. The artists are incredible and the songs unforgettable!
Published 1 month ago by Helen Morrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leonard Cohen
I'm a fan of Leonard Cohen because of this video recording. Although the video seems not perfectly sharp sometimes, the filming was well done, and the music is fine.
Published 1 month ago by Music Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love, love, love this DVD
Features multiple artists performing Leonard Cohen songs, with biograqphical interviews woven-in from the greatest song writer of our time. Awesome!
Published 1 month ago by Katherine S. Anders
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