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Stop Making Sense
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Stop Making Sense

1984
Documentary
Music
1h 28m
An innovative concert movie for the rock group Talking Heads. (imdb)
Directed by:
Jonathan Demme Jonathan Demme
Written by:
Jonathan Demme Jonathan Demme Talking Heads
+1 more
Starring:
Bernie Worrell Alex Weir Steven Scales Lynn Mabry Ednah Holt Tina Weymouth David Byrne Chris Frantz Jerry Harrison
More
Genres:
Documentary, Music
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Stop Making Sense

1984
Documentary
Music
1h 28m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 79.42% from 1044 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1043)
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sockmanSockman
Rated 21 Jan 2009
92
95th
The ultimate anti-concert. No backstage antics, no interviews, no "Hello, Cleveland," no stagedives. This is a rare concert film that treats each song as its own visual composition rather than a recording of music being played. Not to mention that Talking Heads were at the top of their game at this stage, and the added musicians only enhance the performance. Very highly recommended to any fan of the band or of music in general.
Rated 21 Jan 2009
magbMagb
Rated 07 Feb 2007
100
98th
It's...impossible...to...sit...still...
Rated 07 Feb 2007
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 05 Jan 2010
95
98th
Amazing. The minimalism allows the performances to be taken in, and lends itself to some very creative visuals. Very energetic and entertaining, and will leave you with an appreciation of boom boxes, floor lamps, and big suits.
Rated 05 Jan 2010
theficionadotheficionado
Rated 01 Jul 2007
100
97th
The minute David Byrne enters the stage with a boombox, you know you're watching something special. And when he returns in that famous white suit... fuuuuuuck.
Rated 01 Jul 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
99th
I can't gush enough about this. There's no interviews, no behind-the-scenes footage, no fans, no animation, no fantasy sequences. Just 9 musicians and their instruments, a floor lamp, and a big suit. With these sparse tools, Demme and Byrne crafted the finest performance film I've ever seen. Engaging, energetic, and completely infectious. Through variations in lighting, staging and dance, they manage to make give every song a distinct visual feel.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 10 Aug 2018
100
98th
Fat Talking Heads nerd in his basement fucking up every lamp in the house for a brief moment of absolute weightless bliss
Rated 10 Aug 2018
funkyastroFunkyAstro
Rated 01 Sep 2009
100
99th
If I had a time machine I would go back to when this movie was made and be at the concerts. Nobody puts on a show now a days like the Talking Heads of '84. I will always remember the band as the one in this movie. All the songs sound better than their studio recordings. The direction was brilliant, especially the long uncut shots. And who can not make way to the legend that is David Byrne. Simply put, the man is a genius. For what it is, a concert movie, Stop Making Sense is perfection.
Rated 01 Sep 2009
ocelotOcelot
Rated 08 May 2009
90
97th
While most concert films feature a ton of backstage bullshit, "Stop Making Sense" just delivers the goods. Burning Down the House, Psycho Killer, Crosseyed and Painless; it's all absolutely magnificent music. The album is one of the best albums ever made so it's only fitting that the movie is one of the best of its medium as well. "Stop Making Sense" is an honest to God masterpiece. It's the kind of movie that only comes along Once in a Lifetime.
Rated 08 May 2009
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 19 May 2009
5
91st
If it's not the best concert film ever, it's the best I've seen. Completely awesome both for its music and for its merits as a film, with some absolutely great versions of classic Talking Heads tracks (the versions of "Life During Wartime," "This Must Be the Place" and "Heaven" here are essential). Fantastic visuals (the chiaroscuro lighting on some of the performances was really something), great music, engaging performances - it's a blast.
Rated 19 May 2009
pickpocketPickpocket
Rated 02 Sep 2009
9
93rd
This is one of the best things I've ever seen. So much energy, so fun. I could watch this every day. Thanks! Anyone have any questions?
Rated 02 Sep 2009
eric_wkEric WK
Rated 09 Sep 2009
95
95th
This is the only concert movie I've ever seen that's distilled down to the only thing that really matters: the performance. By cutting (or never even filming, I don't know) all of the bullshit, Demme brings you right into the auditorium for a Talking Heads set that is nothing short of exquisite. What a band, what a film.
Rated 09 Sep 2009
purgatospurgatos
Rated 26 Sep 2008
95
96th
After watching this, it will take a week for the grin to leave my face.
Rated 26 Sep 2008
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 22 Apr 2009
91
97th
Absolutely wonderful! A musical treat for any music fan. Probably the best music concert video.
Rated 22 Apr 2009
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 25 Sep 2010
88
97th
My favorite concert film of all time.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
twincinematwincinema
Rated 18 Feb 2017
100
98th
The concert documentary that all other concert documentaries want to be.
Rated 18 Feb 2017
karolcristkarolcrist
Rated 08 Mar 2009
93
96th
I love this concert movie. It's amazing how the show is conducted, starting with just David Byrne singing Psycho Killer, and little by little, more members and instruments are added, to the point of having the show complete. I loved Psycho Killer in this concert. The Byrne's personallity makes of Talking Heads an unique band. For those who like that amazing band, is an unforgettable concert movie.
Rated 08 Mar 2009
bofbof
Rated 25 Aug 2019
90
97th
Does for the concert movie what Loveless did for shoegaze - ie is so good it kills its genre stone dead.
Rated 25 Aug 2019
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 03 Feb 2012
100
98th
If I could go to any concert in history, it would probably be this one. Considering how much energy there is coming through Demme's camera, I can only imagine how much energy there is at the real thing. There are so many great moments in this concert both audio and visual. I just can't choose a favorite moment. If you watch this and your head isn't bobbing the entire time then something is certainly wrong with you. I don't know. This film is really awesome. (three times)
Rated 03 Feb 2012
kavkav
Rated 14 Jul 2008
90
92nd
Not only are the Talking Heads amazing, it's a brilliant concept and concert too.
Rated 14 Jul 2008
bownBown
Rated 14 May 2020
86
80th
People always be like “how does Byrne have so much energy” like they’re forgetting cocaine exists. Anyway this was fucking awesome
Rated 14 May 2020
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 30 Oct 2009
9
92nd
Wasn't quite sure how I would react to a concert movie but this blew my mind.
Rated 30 Oct 2009
zayankZayanK
Rated 17 Jan 2011
94
93rd
I'm totally buying a suit like that.
Rated 17 Jan 2011
nobletNoblet
Rated 02 Dec 2011
93
97th
The opening and gradual introduction of the entire band is brilliant it just gets better from there. Fantastic music, wonderful visuals.
Rated 02 Dec 2011
evolutionEvolution
Rated 15 Aug 2012
94
98th
Before viewing this film I described myself as a Talking Heads fan; after viewing I would describe myself as a Talking Heads fanatic.
Rated 15 Aug 2012
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 21 Mar 2012
93
97th
SMS is maybe the greatest rock concert (or concept) ever shot. And I'm saying this not just because of the great images that Demme and his crew managed to capture -- they make a cinematic achievement out of a gig --, but the performance itself: their groove is almost unbearably catchy and weird. This is staggeringly brilliant.
Rated 21 Mar 2012
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 04 Jan 2010
89
95th
Talking Heads... bit good wern't they!
Rated 04 Jan 2010
jerkyJerky
Rated 01 Jan 2013
90
99th
My god...the awesomeness!
Rated 01 Jan 2013
aceysaid10AceySaid10%
Rated 07 Feb 2012
78
33rd
Highly recommended on 1.5x fast forward. A multitude of crazy legs...
Rated 07 Feb 2012
jamisonrkjamisonrk
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
90th
It's rare to be excited while watching a concert on a Television. This is a rare film...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
pilgermannpilgermann
Rated 03 Aug 2007
90
94th
Absolutely wonderful and thrilling film. There's so much energy captured here that it's nearly impossible to sit still by the end of it.
Rated 03 Aug 2007
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 28 Mar 2010
97
96th
So exuberant, so inventive, so bright and brilliant that it stands as a mighty contender in the ongoing debate about what deserves the designation Greatest Concert Film Ever. The band delivers their own unique, vibrant staging and a thrillingly energetic concert performance, and Demme's visual sense is astounding. The camera is often in an entirely unexpected place, and yet it's also always a perfectly positioned, so much so that it's hard to conceive of why anyone would place it elsewhere.
Rated 28 Mar 2010
owen1218owen1218
Rated 04 Oct 2007
80
79th
Very nice. But I was disappointed that this focused so heavily on Speaking With Tongues, which I just never cared as much for.
Rated 04 Oct 2007
goldblumingGoldbluming
Rated 10 Mar 2016
93
92nd
So weird and so awesome.
Rated 10 Mar 2016
manfyManfy
Rated 16 Apr 2011
90
96th
When we get time travel I am so going to this concert! :D
Rated 16 Apr 2011
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 13 Aug 2022
93
88th
Infectiously fun and joyous concert experience should work equally well wherever you sit in HEADS fandom - what this film does better than any concert film to date is capture the delight of performance, be it Byrnes' eccentric dance moves (and vocals) through to the idiosyncratic performances from all the band members. Demme's roving and hovering camera captures the perfect balance of rock concert spectacle, with an intimate, close-up look at the band and their fraternal dynamics.
Rated 13 Aug 2022
kito1kito1
Rated 20 Feb 2018
80
89th
Starts ingeniously, David Byrne is a blast to watch.
Rated 20 Feb 2018
rushshirtrushshirt
Rated 21 Oct 2023
9
84th
A concert film that displays just as much mastery of craft as the music it documents. Byrne's spotlight is at times eclipsed by the captured space and time itself.
Rated 21 Oct 2023
neonmanNeonman
Rated 03 Sep 2011
83
73rd
One of the most wackiest and creatively audacious concerts ever, wonderfully captured by Demme. I just wish they played more from Fear of Music.
Rated 03 Sep 2011
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 10 May 2009
79
57th
It's cool how much is done visually with so little and the music is catchy.
Rated 10 May 2009
kmcneilKMcNeil
Rated 09 Sep 2013
10
98th
"This ain't no party, this ain't no disco. THIS AIN'T NO FOOLIN' AROUND."
Rated 09 Sep 2013
braddad68braddad68
Rated 16 Mar 2020
100
97th
I'm kicking myself for NOT watching this 35 years ago! Incredible! Talking Head fans should LOVE it, as well as any music/performance fan. A one-of-a kind band and show!
Rated 16 Mar 2020
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 19 Nov 2009
95
97th
I'm glad that one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time were able to get a really great concert film produced while they were in their prime. If you're not a fan, this film WILL make you one (unless you don't have a soul).
Rated 19 Nov 2009
vaudevillianVaudevillian
Rated 17 May 2020
100
93rd
WATCH OUT! You might get what you're after.
Rated 17 May 2020
aeghtesadiaeghtesadi
Rated 09 Jan 2012
88
77th
Bought the blu ray blindly, was pleased with the result.
Rated 09 Jan 2012
florvdeFlorVdE
Rated 19 Feb 2007
5
98th
Great performance, great direction, great movie.
Rated 19 Feb 2007
bfnbfn
Rated 17 Jun 2017
86
94th
Watched twice (June 2017, December 2022)
Rated 17 Jun 2017
aarona1caarona1c
Rated 13 May 2008
95
90th
I don't care if it's just a concert movie. It's the Talking Heads, whom I love.
Rated 13 May 2008
treeoflifetreeoflife
Rated 13 Jan 2020
85
70th
filming is made very well, performance was clever. i just don't "love" the music of talking heads. why did i watch it then? well i'm reading david byrne's book and wanted to see what he was talking about.
Rated 13 Jan 2020
hsncrspywlhsncrspywl
Rated 11 Mar 2013
100
99th
I suppose you wouldn't get much out of this unless you love Talking Heads. Their performance is full of energy and amazing arrangements of their tunes, but Demme's direction is similarly mindblowing. A lot of brilliant, long shots, letting you take in the setting and performances. Excellent pacing, a lot of great concepts, and fantastic cinematography and lighting. It's restrained, but in such a way it lets you study the performance - rather than distancing you from it, it lets you take it in.
Rated 11 Mar 2013
sheddlesheddle
Rated 08 Jul 2010
90
85th
Private concert in your living room.
Rated 08 Jul 2010
nealcraggneal.cragg
Rated 24 Oct 2022
96
80th
One of the best filmed concerts of all time! David Byrne can get a little schticky after a while, but let’s be real: that comes after probably 20 rewatches
Rated 24 Oct 2022
ninjacow7ninjacow7
Rated 05 Feb 2009
100
99th
An amazing performance captured masterfully. The extra footage of Byrne interviewing himself is hilarious.
Rated 05 Feb 2009
jschlanskyJSchlansky
Rated 06 Jul 2014
100
99th
Rewatch #1,036. Still perfect. I haven't discovered the meaning of life yet but I'm convinced it's in here somewhere.
Rated 06 Jul 2014
by_devolby Devol
Rated 01 Mar 2011
89
95th
Coulda used a Peter Grant meltdown or a fan wigging out on bad shit or skanks fighting backstage (jk) but it was interesting that King Crimson sat in the front row of a TH gig on that tour, and then months later KC adopted the one-musician-at-a-time-arriving-onstage thing, which, in turn, I ecstatically witnessed. Thank-you Mr. Demme for this hermetic bubble of pulse-racing coolness. Great - now I have Bernie Worrell's opening, swelling keyboards for "Once in a Lifetime" stuck in my head. Dece.
Rated 01 Mar 2011
spunkieSpunkie
Rated 25 Nov 2008
65
76th
This is a nicely captured performance. Still for a nonenthusiast of Talking Heads it's just another concert
Rated 25 Nov 2008
patmanpatman
Rated 25 Feb 2015
73
83rd
Was hooked on Slippery People when I first saw a glimpse of this performance in "20 feet from Stardom", just had to watch the whole concert and what a show. Such a joyful and energetic show that puts a smile on your face, they put all the focus on the performance with very little distractions and highlights Byrne's amazing talent.
Rated 25 Feb 2015
tomoscaradogtomoscaradog
Rated 10 May 2008
86
77th
Fantastically staged concert by one of the best bands of the 20th century. Brilliant idea of introducing one band member per song, before burning down the house with the whole funk orchestra. Inspiring!
Rated 10 May 2008
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 28 Aug 2020
80
78th
There's a lot of energy in this film, although your enjoyment of it might hinge on whether you like this quirky band, captured here at the height of their popularity. At times I wondered why this wasn't released as an exercise video, but the amount of home injuries would likely have been phenomenal. I would love to see a mashup of Byrne's Life During Wartime dance and Hepburn's cafe dance from Funny Face.
Rated 28 Aug 2020
tangooooooTangoooooo
Rated 03 Apr 2011
90
89th
Such a great film. So mch energy, and wonderful songs!
Rated 03 Apr 2011
kasperlKasperL
Rated 09 Aug 2015
70
65th
Enjoyable concert flick. The very peculiar David Byrne - who makes sure that we're never, not even for a second, not entertained - carries the film.
Rated 09 Aug 2015
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 01 May 2017
100
99th
Holy shit! Vá em frente, não há nada errado com esse filme, seja cinematograficamente quanto musicalmente. Primeiro eu só estava ouvindo no youtube enquanto fazia algumas coisas, depois voltei tudo e revi porque recomendo qualquer pessoa de boa cabeça e coração assistir esse filme ao menos uma vez ao ano. Youtube.
Rated 01 May 2017
brallonbrallon
Rated 03 Jun 2017
85
89th
No bullshit here. Just performance art at its best. Completely infectious.
Rated 03 Jun 2017
parallaxParallax
Rated 21 Dec 2012
100
99th
The absolute best concert movie. Wonderful music, David Byrne is energy and eclecticism itself, and the lighting and direction is incredible.
Rated 21 Dec 2012
janusjanus
Rated 15 Dec 2008
90
94th
Innovative? Hardly. It starts and ends with credits and in between there is only music. It dispenses with backstage footage and (ha ha) talking-head interviews; this is a performance, with a fair amount of narrative-film-specific artifice, not a documentary. It puts the money shots of a pleased audience where they belong, at the end. It's even shot on 35mm, for God's sake. No concert film ever made needs anything more.
Rated 15 Dec 2008
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 22 Feb 2007
50
35th
Wacky world of Talking heads
Rated 22 Feb 2007
psimpsim
Rated 04 May 2020
79
68th
I couldn't have named any Talking Heads songs before watching this, but it was still a very fun experience. The filmmakers did a great job in conveying the energetic nature of their live performance.
Rated 04 May 2020
kojilessKojiless
Rated 26 May 2012
92
95th
Pulls pants halfway up chest, steps out onto porch, sits on rocking chair, points shotgun, starts rant: "You damn kids and your hippity-hop. In my day, music was about groove. It was about psychedelic lyrics. It was about 9 people on a stage doing what they love in front of people who loved what they were doing. Now get off my lawn!"
Rated 26 May 2012
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 02 May 2014
95
97th
Nearly burned down the house
Rated 02 May 2014
nothingsnothings
Rated 21 Feb 2020
94
95th
everyone talks about the big suit but the fact that he starts in a pretty big suit then changes into a REALLY big suit is the funniest shit ever.
Rated 21 Feb 2020
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 02 Oct 2022
72
81st
good
Rated 02 Oct 2022
doyler29doyler29
Rated 13 Sep 2022
90
87th
There's more to this film than just the music. There's the show, and it's a phenomenal show, blending dance and visuals with the music in extraordinary ways. There's the simple, inspired way that Demme chose to shot this sow, forgoing a lot of tricks generally used in concert films, letting the show speak for itself as much as possible. I love this.
Rated 13 Sep 2022
syntheseizurSyntheseizur
Rated 22 Feb 2012
98
99th
One of the few concert docs that seeks to be as artistically stimulating as it is musically. From the minimalist set design to the dead focus on the on-stage action to the lack of needless banter and backstage interviews, the film subverts almost all the elements of generic idol worship that turn most rock docs into self-indulgent cash-ins. It also captures the energy of the performers better than anything else in the genre, plus the dynamic music keeps the film endlessly active.
Rated 22 Feb 2012
andy19363andy19363
Rated 24 Aug 2009
90
96th
A truly great concert movie, originally released in 1984. Features the Talking Heads at their peak.......A feast of sound and vision
Rated 24 Aug 2009
hofschneiderHofschneider
Rated 05 Mar 2020
90
91st
Joy.
Rated 05 Mar 2020
nbd_rabNBD Rab
Rated 22 May 2013
95
96th
Infectiously energetic. Just a wonderful event that everyone should experience.
Rated 22 May 2013
egbertsouseEgbertSouse
Rated 10 May 2009
95
89th
Even if this were a one-take shoot off a video camera, the strength of the terrific songs make it great. Instead of flashiness, it's a minimalist visual experience that allows full appreciation of the performers and the music. "Life During Wartime" is the highlight of the whole film, with David Byrne integrating aerobics into the performance! Not just for fans of Talking Heads, but rather anyone who wants 90 minutes of musical fun.
Rated 10 May 2009
sirsassSirSass
Rated 07 Mar 2018
80
92nd
Those heads sure can talk.
Rated 07 Mar 2018
febrarofebraro
Rated 04 Aug 2008
80
63rd
An unique film and a great performance. Unfortunately, I'm just not into the Talking Heads enough to go crazy about it.
Rated 04 Aug 2008
andaghandagh
Rated 30 Jan 2009
90
79th
More Fear of Music would have made it even better.
Rated 30 Jan 2009
icarusIcarus
Rated 27 Aug 2019
91
91st
Greatness. The best concert/music film I've ever seen. Everything works. The slow build of the band, the unique arrangements of the songs throughout, and the attentiveness to the cinematic nature of this performance. Highlights are the entire performance of Burning Down the House (esp. the dancing) as well as Byrne and his lamp during This Must Be the Place.
Rated 27 Aug 2019
ofterdingenOfterdingen
Rated 10 Nov 2023
80
93rd
A rare case of pure joy and energy.
Rated 10 Nov 2023
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 28 Aug 2011
85
71st
Just a great concert, with no bullshit behind the scenes padding.
Rated 28 Aug 2011
jthuskyjthusky
Rated 12 Apr 2013
96
99th
If you're a Heads fan, you'll love it. If you're not a Heads fan, you'll probably still love it.
Rated 12 Apr 2013
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 01 Apr 2018
94
99th
This is ninety minutes of joy. Everyone is happy and everyone is having a good time. Kind of hard to ask for anything more.
Rated 01 Apr 2018

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