"Stop Making Sense" is one of the most joyous movie experiences I've ever had. It's not hard to see why many consider it to be the greatest concert film of all time. As the show goes on, the sheer energy and repeated phrases of the Talking Heads turn it into an almost religious event, with David Byrne as the slightly deranged pastor, throwing everything he's got into his sermons.Of course, the most important aspect of a music film is the songs, and they do not disappoint here. From the striking, stripped-down version of "Psycho Killer" to the heartfelt sentiment of "This Must Be the Place", the Heads cover nearly all of their biggest hits, and if your foot isn't tapping for at least one of them, you might want to check your pulse.Director Jonathan Demme shows tact in his camera angles, letting the visuals of the performances speak for themselves, as shadows are cast in the background and the musicians turn themselves into perpetual-motion machines.There have been many films both fictional and true about music, but none of them communicate the absolute joy that is shown here by performers who love what they're doing, love how they're doing it, and love that they're doing it with each other.

I saw this in the theatre back in 1984 and remember liking it. I like the Talking Heads and think this was made during the peak of their career. I like Demme and think this was made during the peak of his career. Still, I kind of suspected that if I watched it again I would think that the adulation this film garners is a bit overblown. No, I was wrong. This really is the work of a a band and a director at the peak of their powers and meshing completely.

I watched this wonderful musical experience on DVD recently. I hadn't seen it for at least ten years and was delighted to see how well it's stood the test of time. Memories came flooding back of going to see it several times in the cinema with my then girlfriend (now my wife of twenty three years). Every time we went we met the same group of friends, smuggled in some beer, then danced all the way through the movie. Anyone too young to remember Talking Heads in their prime should watch Stop Making Sense and see how a group of talented musicians can put on a stunning show without the need for any flashy pyrotechnics. The originality and quality of the music and the clever use of simple lighting combine to make this a must see movie. Just be sure to move back the furniture so you have room to dance!

It was a mistake for met to put off watching Stop Making Sense. I should have watched it right after I bought the DVD. I have to say that I don't enjoy watching concert films much, nor do I like to listen to live recordings. Often, the music just isn't as definitive when it's played live. But at the same time you get to see the band perform so there is a payoff. Still, concerts can drag on, and can get boring because you have to watch the same band or artist perform for an hour or more. I've seen concert films before, even by great bands, but I didn't like them much. However, Stop Making Sense is an exception. Not just because the music is good and has so much energy, but also because the performance is well directed and presented.Directed by Jonathan Demme, Stop Making Sense was shot over three nights in December 1983, as the group was touring to promote their new album Speaking In Tongues. The movie is notable for being the first made entirely utilizing digital audio techniques. The band raised the budget of $1.2 million themselves. The title comes from a repeated phrase in the song Girlfriend Is Better. At the beginning of the film David Byrne, the lead singer of the Talking Heads, walks on to the stage with a boom box and an acoustic guitar and then performs Psycho Killer. He's just one man, but watching him is interesting, and the song is great too. With each successive song, Byrne is cumulatively joined onstage by each core member of the band: first by Tina Weymouth for Heaven, second by Chris Frantz for Thank You For Sending Me An Angel, and third by Jerry Harrison for Found A Job. The Talking Heads also continue to be augmented by several additional musicians, most of whom had extensive experience in funk.David Byrne is a very energetic performer. Even the way he moved his body was fun to watch. He even put on that now famous big suit towards the end of the film. In addition, I really liked Tina Weymouth in this film. She's just the cutest bass player ever. I have to stress that Stop Making Sense isn't just a bunch of playing and singing. The band manages to make each song stand out. The faster songs are performed with plenty of energy and enthusiasm, while the slower songs sound beautiful and make you wonder. The film contains no audience shots until the very end to enable the viewer to form their own opinion about the performance. Byrne wanted no colored lights to illuminate the performers. This led to some unusual lighting methods being used for each song. Unlike many concert films/videos which use "MTV-style" quick-cut editing techniques, much of Stop Making Sense uses lengthy camera shots to allow the viewer to examine the performances and onstage interaction. In conclusion, Stop Making Sense is the definitive concert film. You don't even have to be a fan of the band or their music to like it. It's so good that you'll probably want to see it many times. Director Jonathan Demme managed to capture one the greatest bands of their era on film, and did it very well.Set Lists: 1. Psycho Killer 2. Heaven 3. Thank You For Sending Me An Angel 4. Found A Job 5. Slippery People 6. Burning Down The House 7. Life During Wartime 8. Making Flippy Floppy 9. Swamp 10. What A Day That Was 11. This Must Be The Place 12. Once In A Lifetime 13. Genius Of Love 14. Girlfriend Is Better 15. Take Me To The River 16. Crosseyed And Painless