Customer Reviews

Philip Glass: Looking Glass

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

An excellent documentary about Glass and his music. Lots of music, and beautifully used throughout. Glass is so ordinary a man. Being a person completely present is what makes the ordinary extraordinary, and the same is true of his music. He tackles that transfixion with appealing intelligence, and calm that can dip towards a kind of trance. Watching him work in silence in his study is itself a little temple of the workman; yet the camera's patience with the scene makes appear a pantheon of gods instrumental to the artist's each action. A rich world; you immediately desire his silence and seclusion FOR him. Interesting energy this film emits in that respect - rushing seems out of place. Glass talks about many things artists are interested in - the health of our surroundings, the freedom technique affords, the maverick aspects of business and art - it's like a master class with none of the dull trappings. Generous helpings of music and staging from Akhnaten and Satyagraha, and long-time Glass advocate Dennis Russell Davies plays and conducts the rocketship Tirol Piano Concerto (premiered in Austria in 2000). Beautiful segments on the film scores, notably the Godfrey Reggio trilogy, and footage of installations/films to Glass' music that flat out astonishes! It feels like the film Glass himself would like to find made about his work. He's clear-headed as heck, &it's rewarding. Big recommendation, especially if you already love the music. I wish we had a film this fine about Feldman.

This DVD is like being with Philip during his different venues of Composing, interacting with his agents, and other artists. This is a MUST HAVE, if you have any interest in Philp Glass' music. After viewing this DVD, I actually felt like I know him personally.

An intimate portrait of the genius minilmalist composer Philip Glass.
This documentry only makes you respect his music and style even more.
Most of the film takes place in his hometown, New York .

This film is a sorry excuse for a documentary. 90% of the time all there are segments of random events that Glass is involved in, wether it is a phone call, plugging in his VCR, walking down the street while talking about things unrelated to his music, and other times where nobody is really saying anything. This film seems like the material that ordinarily would have been left on the cutting room floor. I was very much let down by this film, since I am a serious Glass fan. I expected much more than this drivel!! Total joke!