Lou Reed's Berlin

Real To Reel

Sarah Kurchak (CHARTattack)

08/12/2008 1:10pm

When Lou Reed released the ambitious concept album Berlin in 1973, it was both a critical and commercial failure. In the wake of such disaster, Reed never performed the album live. Thirty-three years later, he was finally convinced to stage Berlin around the world, including five nights at St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, New York. Acclaimed filmmaker (and the stage production's art director) Julian Schnabel filmed those five shows and has put together one hell of a concert film.

From the point of sheer spectacle, the film delivers with an elaborate backdrop featuring Schnabel's work, an orchestra, a choir, and back-up singers that include Sharon Jones and Antony (Antony And The Johnsons). Despite the somewhat sweeping nature of the production, there's a very intimate feeling. The camera's focus from the full band to Reed, to the faces of the girls in the choir, to a detail as small as Antony's hands while singing The Velvet Underground's "Candy Says" mimics the way an audience member's eye might drift during a live show. Even without these touches, the film still flourishes on the charisma of Reed alone. Though he only cracks a few small smiles during his otherwise stony performance, his pride in his work and the emotion behind his delivery are palpable.

Fans will likely find Lou Reed's Berlin to be a transcendent experience (there were people in tears at the screening). The uninitiated or disinterested probably won't be as moved, but will likely be impressed.