“Moonage Daydream” Review
David Bowie’s artistic process is on full display in the first documentary about the glam rocker, “Moonage Daydream.”
David Bowie’s death left a massive hole in the world of music and quickly established that 2016 was definitely going to be a terrible year. Now, six years later, the first sanctioned film about the artist has hit theaters after wowing spectators at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. “Moonage Daydream” is much more than a documentary about the god of glam, it’s a cinematic experience that every music lover must experience.
While the film does depict Bowie’s life and music, it’s anything but typical. There are no interviews with people who knew him nor is there a solid structure. Instead, the film montages many of Bowie’s live performances and best compositions with interviews and undiscovered films of David Bowie in order to paint a more artistically pleasing portrait of the man. While this may disappoint people who wanted something more traditional, upon hearing the thoughts and seeing the art of Bowie, this was truly the best way to tell this story.
Director Brett Morgen, who also wrote and edited the film, has a talent for understanding the subjects of his films including Bob Evans in “The Kid Stays In The Picture,” Kust Cobain in “Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck” and Jane Goodall in “Jane.” He creates films that make you feel like you’ve gained a completely new understanding of the film’s subject.
David Bowie’s artistic genius is on full display with the interviews and tapes of him being eye-opening as he discusses his life, his beliefs and what his art means to him. We see him throughout the years wearing different personas and using his body like a canvas to express himself and it’s all told through amazing visuals. The music of Bowie sounds fantastic with a mix of his studio tracks and recordings from his live performances but it’s nothing compared to the man himself.
The film is a visual feast for the senses and completely sums up Bowie’s unique style. Not only does it dive into his music but there’s also his paintings, sculptures, animations, cinematography and spiritual journey. If you purely knew Bowie as a musician and an actor, this film is going to surprise you with just how much he cared about different kinds of art and his determination to push his creative limits.
“Moonage Daydream” is one of the best cinematic experiences that a music lover could experience and, if you want to embrace Bowie’s work, I can’t think of a better film.
