American Utopia

I thought Stop Making Sense was the best concert I'd ever seen until American Utopia came to town. I jumped at reliving it on the big screen. It's beautifully captured by Lee. The care he takes with including so many extraordinary on-stage moments is exemplary. David Byrne is so likable and he tells the story of the show beautifully. His musicianship and vocals are wonderful. But the real star of the show is the staging. It's bewilderingly detailed and beautifully crafted. The skill set the performers require is astonishing. The band literally dance the whole night through. Two dancers who double as backing singers drip with charisma and are provided with delightful moves. This is a joyful experience. I loved every second.

Talent, professionalism, entertainment, uplifting fun, intimate messaging between songs for a lovely rappore with the audience. Bravo David and Spike!

The best way i can describe this trainwreck is what I immediately said to my partner after finishing it: "that was like Daniel Johnston got on the right meds, lost the weight, and decided to make a play, and no one had the heart to tell him its a bad idea". The ridiculous forced facial expression of the players is bad enough on its own to give this 1 star, by the time you factor in Brynes lobotomized movements, sterile and expression less vocals, and bland to the point of being offensive set design, and you have a strong contender for a Razzie award. The sounds are cheap and grating, the entire vibe is awkwardness taken to its logical conclusion, but its comes off sincere. This is the best David Bryje could do. This is how he wanted it to look. That is exactly how he wanted the players to play. He has no idea its terrible. Even as i write this i feel bad, is he on a spectrum? Should i be judging this with the same lens i would a grade school play? Or one put on by special needs kids? Am i missing important backstory? Was he hit by a bus? Did he overdose a dozen times? Is he developmentally delayed? Is this early on-set dementia? Even if all of that was true, id still find this absolutely unbearable.

An incredible David Byrne frontman of Talking Heads experience! Spike Lee joint not much like it. The music is soothing, well choreographed, and the in between bits where David Byrne talks to the audience is wonderful! One of the most enjoyable HBO specials in a long while.

I wanted to like this film but the politics of the movie ruined it for me. I thought I was going to watch a concert film but instead what I got was some old man giving his unsolicited political opinions. The songs would have been great if they were played without commentary. I also find it hard to watch David Byrne singing Talking Head songs without the original band. The only reason I gave this movie a six rating is for the visuals. The lighting and colors of this film were impeccable.

David Byrne is well known to everybody who was born at least half a century ago. As the frontman of Talking Heads his genius literally was the core of the band. This movie shows that his brilliance has not withered yet. American Utopia is a well chosen name for a time document that alternates fantastic music with witty comments on life in general and American life specifically. The world has changed a lot the last 50 years, but a lot of things have stayed the same and the peculiar way David Byrne is looking to the world has essentially not changed either, and that is a good thing. What is remarkable is that the vibe, the rythm, the choreography and lighting for almost every song is unique. David is always center stage, but the rest of the dancers and musicians are equally important. In one word; a musical masterpiece.

Minimalist set, exquisite music, weaving narrative and music together - entertaining, humorous, solid. David Byrne is outstanding!

If you're a Talking Heads, David Byrne, or Broadway addict you should watch this. Otherwise, there was nothing in it that drew me in. Turned it off after a while and spent my time more enjoyably.

If you are a david byrne fan (and i have been since their first album way back when), this is a not-to-be missed visual treat. he is still just as stunning on stage as he always has been. he's surrounded himself with dancers, percussionists and keyboards, while playing some new and some (thank goodness) old favorites. reminds me of how timeless this man's music is. the visuals and lighting, dancing and all aspects are perfect. highly recommended. good job spike lee!

Never saw a bad David Byrne show. An enjoyable romp in today's culture. A tender and soft musical journey from a voice which has barely aged since 1976. You'll find yourself bobbing your head at times to the rhythmic melodies. A true artist.