LEONARD COHEN I'M YOUR MAN
A Living Legend, through the eyes of legends
PopcornReel.com Film Review: "Leonard Cohen I'm Your Man"
By Omar P.L. Moore/July 20, 2006
Still going strong: Leonard Cohen, the poet and music legend, with Burlesque
Girl and Bono of U2 (the rock group has been around for 26 years.)
Released last weekend, Lian Lunson's documentary about the legendary Leonard Cohen resonates chiefly through those who pay tribute to the longevity of this poet, singer and songwriter who is approaching his 72nd birthday and still going strong, with news of a possible tour on the way. Cohen, a Canadian, has been performing since the Sixties, gaining appeal, notoriety and fandom throughout the world, yet some Americans know little of him. Ms. Lunson's film is the perfect opportunity to learn about him.
The best thing about the documentary is how today's (and yesteryear's) singers,
musicians and stars, including Australian Nick Cave, American Rufus Wainwright,
England's Linda Thompson, Canadian Martha Wainwright, and Irishmen Bono and The
Edge of U2, all fondly recall their encounters with him. For example, in a
hilarious retelling of the event, Rufus Wainwright remembers seeing Mr. Cohen
dressed in his underwear and then a minute later decked out in Armani. The
joy that all musicians involved express as they tell their favorite moment to
the camera is tremendous.
"Leonard Cohen I'm Your Man" is filled with
musical tributes to Mr. Cohen. The documentary features such musical stars
as Antony (whose stirring rendition of Mr. Cohen's "If It Be Your Will" is one
of the film's highlights), Jarvis Cocker, Perla Batalla, Kate & Anne McGarrigle,
Julie Christensen, and The Handsome Family, all singing Leonard Cohen's most
popular songs. Fans of the Legend won't be disappointed, as the songs are
interspersed with interviews of Mr. Cohen himself, in introspective and humorous
moments. The film opens with the haunting, deep, raspy voice that is
unmistakably Cohen's, with his song "Waiting For The Miracle", which also began
Oliver Stone's "Natural Born Killers" back in 1994. (Stone book-ended that
film with Mr. Cohen's "The Future" -- though that song is absent from Ms.
Lunson's documentary.)
One of the revelations about Mr. Cohen is that poetry is his essential bread and
butter and that propels the songs and music that has resonated with millions.
Mr. Cohen once said that "poetry is just the evidence of life." (A good
place to start in the Leonard Cohen music library is his "The Essential Leonard
Cohen" 2-CD remastered set. Almost all the songs on the soundtrack, plus
the ones mentioned in this review, are on the CD, sung by the original himself.)
The only regret this reviewer has is that there were not more moments of Mr.
Cohen actually singing in "Leonard Cohen I'm Your Man", although fans will be
rewarded before the documentary is over.
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