Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Last Waltz chronicles the final live performance of the Band (Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm).
I watched The Last Waltz because of its reputation and pedigree.
I was not that familiar with The Band, or Bob Dylan - I know the song ‘The Weight’, and a couple of the artists in the lineup.
It did not resonate with me, but that is a case of personal taste. As a document, it is fascinating.
The film includes a few moments of self-reflexivity, including starting ‘scenes’ when the camera starts rolling. These moments attempt to create a sense of authenticity, to immerse the viewer.
The film also attempts to foreground the idea of authorship over the screen space. While Scorsese himself appears, he is a far less assured on-camera presence than he would become.
The onscreen figure who gets the most focus is Robbie Robertson. One of the earliest scenes starts with Scorsese flubbing an interview segment with Robbertson, who then provides explicit guidance on what to ask.
The other band members get a few moments, but it is Robertson’s voice that has primacy.
One quality it shares with Stop Making Sense is capturing the dynamic of performers - the most memorable is when Clapton’s string breaks, and Robbie Robertson picks up his solo without missing a beat.
While the performances are great, my favourite set-piece was one re-staged after the concert took place - the duet between the Band and the Staple Singers on ‘The Weight’. There is something magical about the way the camera pulls away from the Band, then pans to introduce Mavis Staples. Pure magic.
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