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Shine a Light

Scorsese + the Stones = concert movie bliss

By Geoff Berkshire

Metromix
April 3, 2008

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Director Martin Scorsese filmed two 2006 New York City shows during the Rolling Stones' "A Bigger Bang" world tour. He then intercut performances from those gigs, including special appearances by Jack White and Christina Aguilera, with interview footage from throughout the Stones' career.

Big question: Why can't all movies be Scorsese movies?

Catch it: The Stones’ music has given a boost to so many of Scorsese’s movies that he must have figured it was time to return the favor. The cinematically dazzling result pops off the screen even more than the recent digital spectacle “U2 3D.” As an added bonus, the film shines a light not only on the prep work the Stones put into their shows but also on some of Scorsese’s process. From other filmmakers that might seem indulgent, but from Scorsese it’s like a gift.

Skip it: If you were hoping to see Mick Jagger catch fire, literally. Despite an intense lighting rig that threatens to set the frontman ablaze Scorsese makes it clear that “We can not burn Mick Jagger.”

Bottom line: There are so many great songs, and so much energy on display, that you won’t even mind waiting for “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Brown Sugar” and “Start Me Up” to kick in near the end. “Shine a Light” remains propulsively entertaining from start to finish, and watching Jagger dance up a storm at the age of 64 serves as a clarion call to never lose your artistic drive.

Bonus: In addition to esteemed director of photography Robert Richardson (“Kill Bill”), Scorsese recruited an all-star line-up of cinematographers to serve as camera operators including Robert Elswit (“There Will Be Blood”), Ellen Kuras (“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”), Andrew Lesnie (“The Lord of the Rings”), Emmanuel Lubezki (“Children of Men”) and John Toll (“The Thin Red Line”).