Customer Reviews

Passing Strange

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I also saw the show on Broadway in 2008 and absolutely loved it. I was excited to hear that Spike Lee had filmed the last performance on Broadway and that it was planned for a DVD release. However, I was skeptical - the show was so high energy and engaging; I didn't know if it would translate to the small screen.

I saw the film at SXSW 2009 and thought that Lee did an excellent job at capturing the energy and emotion of the show. There were times when I was dancing in my seat - the same points where I was dancing in my seat at the Belasco. You may not have heard of this show, but I encourage you to get the DVD and see for yourself - it's really good. It'll be well-worth the cost of the DVD.

I saw this film at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on a big screen. Spike Lee artfully captures the final night's performance of this Broadway show. Excellent camera angles and lighting make Stew's outstanding score and the energetic performances of the actors and singers all that much more enjoyable. Well worth seeing!

Saw the show off and then on Broadway, and was ready to be disappointed by yet another stage-to-screen taping. I could not have been more wrong. Spike Lee's talent is so evident in every angle of this film, bringing you as close as humanly possible to the experience of seeing it live.

I saw this on PBS one night while flipping through the channels. Landed in the middle of the story and had NO IDEA what I was watching. "Is this a poetry show? Wait, is it spoken word with music? Then there are these German accents. And then, Oh, wait there's a story and singing and hilarity!" I was drawn in and further in and I have to say it was the most fantastic accidental viewing experience I've ever had flipping through channels.

The story is compelling and asks a lot of questions about what's "real" or important in life. It's a journey that anyone who's done any soul seeking will be able to relate too. I'm really glad this was captured on film. As too often happens with theater, the performance entirely evaporates into the ether at the curtain call - and if you weren't physically there (in NY in the short span of time the show played), then you're S.O.L. Thanks Stew and Spike Lee for documenting this and sharing it with the masses.

I watched this movie on Public Broadcasting and was amazed. Truly the best peice of art on video I have even seen in my life. AMAZING AMAZING music, theater and story line. LOVED it and bought it that night after watching it. Really protrays peoples lifes at one point or another.

Sure, the live show was better, but I'm thrilled that it was captured at all. It is at once poignant, lyrical, political and HILARIOUS. Furthermore, the music is so good, you're prompted to wonder, "Why have I never heard this guy before? Where has he been?" -- unless of course you're already familiar with Stew's work (He did put out 6 albums before the cast album, all of which are worthwhile). The reviewer here who called the work "self-indulgent" is COMPLETELY off base. Introspective, yes. And moving and provocative. I think that guy probably didn't get the humor or the many rich references. Anyway, thank you, Spike Lee, for undertaking to immortalize this important and, yes, brilliant piece.

Read the title. This is just a high energy quality show. Anyone who loves rock or is not lame will love this too.

i was at sundance the yr this previewed, it created more buzz than any other film that year. if you don't believe me, look up the new york times review. amazing writing, amazing cast, amazing performances. if you don't buy it, at least rent it, it's too good to go unseen.

I've always been a fan of Stew. Lyrically, melodically, his delivery. Top-notch. Never get tired of his music. To see his gift of story-telling work so well with a Broadway-style musical was a revelation. I think this will open the door for others to do similar. Sure it helped Green Day get ther show going. Fantastic cast and band. I didn't see this live, but enjoyed the Spike Lee interpretation. Too bad the run has ended. At least we have this.

I saw it live at the Belasco and loved loved loved it. Am a big Spike Lee fan, but wasn't sure how it would translate to film but it was amazing and packed the same intense emotional punch as the live show. Laughter, tears, intense soul candy. I'm not much for most musical theatre but 'Passing Strange' is a revelation.