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Lou Reed's Berlin

EMAILPRINTThird Rail Releasing (The Weinstein Company)

Lou Reed's Berlin reviews
72
10.0 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 1 votes
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Documentary

Written by:

Directed by: Julian Schnabel

Release Date:
Theatrical: July 18, 2008
DVD: September 30, 2008

Running Time: 85 minutes, Color

Origin: USA | UK

Summary

RATING: PG-13 for brief language

Starring Lou Reed

Staging Berlin has been discussed for over 30 years and in December of 2006 it became a reality. Berlin was said to be one of the most depressing albums ever made but as it was brought to life it was far from dismal. In 2006, Susan Feldman the artistic director of St. Anne’s Warehouse in Brooklyn approached Lou Reed about performing his album Berlin in its entirety. Reed accepted and invited acclaimed director and artist Julian Schnabel to design the sets for the performance. Having been an enormous admirer of the album since its release, Schnabel set about making a film that would reach beyond Brooklyn. Using the divided city of Berlin as its backdrop, the story of Caroline and her lovers is told through the emotive and provocative words of Lou Reed. With performers like Fernando Saunders, Antony, Steve Hunter, Rob Wassermann, Rupert Christie and Sharon Jones, a seven piece orchestra and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus all working to create a captivating and enveloping world, Lou Reed is able to take the audience with him as he bares witness to Caroline’s self-destruction. Julian’s set design create the backdrop of a hotel with greenish walls and with Lola Schnabel’s films displaying the beauty and tragedy of the narrator’s leading lady the experience is devastating and beautiful. (Third Rail Releasing/The Weinstein Company)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

TV Guide Ken Fox

Never an easy one to impress, Reed is clearly in awe of Antony's ethereal voice, and it must now stand as the definitive version of a 40 year old song.

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83

The Onion (A.V. Club) Noel Murray

If nothing else, Julian Schnabel's concert film Lou Reed's Berlin presents the album's 10 songs with a force they've rarely shown before.

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80

Variety Ronnie Scheib

Less groundbreaking video experimentation than extraordinary concert experience, Lou Reed's Berlin expertly fulfills its function.

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75

New York Post Kyle Smith

Your enjoyment will hinge entirely on whether you think the album is a masterpiece or a bore.

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70

Village Voice Camille Dodero

A concert film by technicality, a cinematic trance in practicality.

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70

The New York Times Stephen Holden

As a cautionary tale Lou Reed’s Berlin is an 85-minute public-service announcement that preaches "Just say no." The force of the music, however, lends this tawdry melodrama a tragic stature.

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70

Los Angeles Times Sam Adams

Reed stands at the center, taut and impassive, punching out words that are more often spoken than sung.

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70

The Hollywood Reporter John DeFore

Satisfying for devoted fans and might even win a convert or two.

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67

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

Berlin is far from the lost masterpiece the movie wants it to be.

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60

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

Intermittent shots of actress Emmanuelle Seigner embodying the lyrics are surplus.

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60

Film Threat Mark Bell

Again, if you love Lou Reed or even like Lou Reed a little, musically this film is worth your time.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 10.0 (out of 10) based on 1 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Lee L. gave it a10:
Amazing. Simply amazing.

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