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Lou Reed's Berlin
EMAILPRINTThird Rail Releasing (The Weinstein Company)
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 1 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
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)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
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...
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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Variety Ronnie Scheib
Less groundbreaking video experimentation than extraordinary concert experience, Lou Reed's Berlin expertly fulfills its function.
Read Full Review >New York Post Kyle Smith
Your enjoyment will hinge entirely on whether you think the album is a masterpiece or a bore.
Read Full Review >Village Voice Camille Dodero
A concert film by technicality, a cinematic trance in practicality.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Sam Adams
Reed stands at the center, taut and impassive, punching out words that are more often spoken than sung.
Read Full Review >The Hollywood Reporter John DeFore
Satisfying for devoted fans and might even win a convert or two.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
Berlin is far from the lost masterpiece the movie wants it to be.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
Intermittent shots of actress Emmanuelle Seigner embodying the lyrics are surplus.
Read Full Review >Film Threat Mark Bell
Again, if you love Lou Reed or even like Lou Reed a little, musically this film is worth your time.
Read Full Review >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.
