Reviews include Irena’s Vow, The Beast, and Before I Change My Mind.
Here’s What Our Critics Are Saying About ‘David Byrne’s American Utopia’!
September 11, 2020
The 2020 Toronto International Film Festival began Thursday with David Byrne’s American Utopia. Spike Lee’s filmed version of Byrne’s acclaimed stage production mostly drew raves. The film offered a positive note to begin the hybrid iteration of the festival with cinephiles attending at the Lightbox, at drive-ins, and at home. Overall, our members found that new Spike Lee joint delivered one of the festival’s more upbeat opening numbers in recent memory, providing a kick-off audiences needed to escape the COVID blues.
Here’s What Our Members Are Saying About David Byrne’s American Utopia
DAVID BYRNE'S AMERICAN UTOPIA: Barefoot & brainy, the cerebral becomes the physical in this percussive meditation by the ex-Talking Head. Spike Lee directs with vigour; 11 bandmates support songs old & new — but Janelle Monáe’s “Hell You Talmbout," burns down the house. #TIFF20 pic.twitter.com/U9V6xcrEjv
— Peter Howell (@peterhowellfilm) September 11, 2020
DAVID BYRNE'S AMERICAN UTOPIA: Music about despair and compassion never goes out of date, does it. #TIFF20
— Norm Wilner (@normwilner) September 11, 2020
American Utopia – a righteous bedlam looking for better connections between us all with David Byrne and Talking Heads tunes reworked. Found some of the staging over-produced, but maybe that's because Stop Making Sense is still echoing in my skull. #TIFF20 pic.twitter.com/p8HDal8LDi
— Eli Glasner 🎥 (@glasneronfilm) September 11, 2020
A stage filled with musicians carries the pure joy & spectacular performance art of Spike Lee-directed DAVID BYRNE's AMERICAN UTOPIA, melding in the concert movie we need right now. A call for change you can sing and dance to. Brilliant choice to open #TIFF20. pic.twitter.com/i0cTnfGFA0
— Linda Barnard (@barnardfilm) September 11, 2020
AMERICAN UTOPIA – Spike Lee's ecstatic doc perfectly captures the movement and magic of @DBtodomundo's glorious production. It's full of light and heart and sober memories, a perfect antidote to times that tear us apart and a blissful reminder of what brings us together. #tiff20 pic.twitter.com/14g8kJ5TDW
— Jason Gorber – #tiff20 adjacent (@filmfest_ca) September 10, 2020
My look at the #tiff20 opener for @POVmagazine – spread the word, spread @DBtodomundo's music! https://t.co/zXtOxKyilA
— Jason Gorber – #tiff20 adjacent (@filmfest_ca) September 11, 2020
Some were mixed on the film, but loved the music:
Shoe-averse AMERICAN UTOPIA has a terrific soundtrack, fun energy, and is probably a great film to have blaring in the background whilst doing menial work or cleaning the house. #TIFF20
— Pat Mullen (@cinemablogrpher) September 10, 2020
Some members even tried the festival drive-in:
Hey, this IS my beautiful car!Director Spike Lee and you-know-who intro "David Byrne's American Utopia" at #TIFF20 pic.twitter.com/Le69bzQRda
— Peter Howell (@peterhowellfilm) September 11, 2020
About to watch DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA @TIFF_NET’s inaugural drive-in edition…assuming my car’s battery doesn’t die. Which is a big “if” at this point. #TIFF20 pic.twitter.com/bQwqCBZXCS
— Barry Hertz (@HertzBarry) September 11, 2020
And lived to tell about it!
DAVID BYRNE'S AMERICAN UTOPIA: Utterly delightful, unexpectedly powerful (although Spike Lee's involvement should've been a hint on the latter). Even if you interpret the closing number of "Road to Nowhere" pandemic-era apt, it felt hopeful. My car battery even survived! #TIFF20
— Barry Hertz (@HertzBarry) September 11, 2020
