Stop Making Sense

"Why stop making sense? Why a movie? Why a big suit? Where do the odd movements come from? What will the band do next?"

Nov 16 1984 PG 1h 28m
Documentary, Music

A concert film documenting Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, on tour for their 1983 album "Speaking in Tongues." The band takes the stage one by one and is joined by a cadre of guest musicians for a career-spanning and cinematic performance that features creative choreography and visuals.

Plot

David Byrne walks onto the stage and does a solo "Psycho Killer." Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz join him for two more songs. The crew is busy, still setting up. Then, three more musicians and two back-up singers join the band. Everybody sings, plays, harmonizes, dances, and runs. They change instruments and clothes. Bryne appears in the Big Suit. The backdrop is often black, but sometimes it displays words, images, or children's drawings. The band cooks for 18 songs, the lyrics are clear, the house rocks. In this concert film, the Talking Heads hardly talk, don't stop, and always make sense.

Written by

Jonathan Demme, Talking Heads

Directed by

Jonathan Demme

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Palm Pictures, Arnold Stiefel Company, Talking Heads

Languages

English

Awards

3 wins & 1 nomination

Scores
# of Votes
23,879
Average Rating
8.7 out of 10
Metascore
89
Popularity
NA