The Neil Young film Coastal, directed by Daryl Hannah, held screenings last week and was warmly welcomed.
Waves of Sadness.
I don't know why. From the start. Not constant, but some quite extreme.
I was surprised to see the theater about 2/3's full, here in Burbank.That was nice. A nice geriatric audience, and I was one of them, now, a long time gone from the Tonight's the Night shows, which were my first. When I went to Mountaintop, there were only about 10 in the theater at the Landmark Nuart on Santa Monica in West LA.
The theaters seem to play every movie at deafening sound levels these days, but this was quite subdued, and could have used a boost. It was a lot of concert footage, and it deserved more realistic concert venue volume, at least for the music. I could hear nearby concession wrappers rustling even during the music. (I ran into the 16-plex manager on the way out, and asked about the volume choice, and she said the volume is pre-set by the film distributors for airing, so Shakey Pictures' choice?)
Maybe it was the black and white, too, that contributed to the sadness feeling. But the movie was in the bus, out and directly to soundcheck or the start of the performance at a few venues, some concert segments from the few different venues, then immediately back to the bus, and driving again, and talking with the bus driver. Repeat. The movie seemed just as much conversation with the bus driver as was anything else. Very laid back. Nice Neil dry humor, throughout. And I enjoyed the film, don't get me wrong, but I missed the bits of real joy.
During Mountaintop, with Crazy Horse, there was so much emotion, and much of it anger and frustration, some so intense that I was surprised they were letting us see it. But when it gelled, finally, and that scene of them listening to the play back and Neil lit up with that massive joy and happiness, and a 500 watt smile...... I missed seeing joy like that in Coastal. Neil seemed so isolated from the rest of the world. His special pocket of isolation. On the bus and off the bus. on the bus, off the bus. Looking out the bus window. Escorted every step. Maybe the aging ("I don't recognise myself"), the pace for the solo shows.......
Mostly I was enveloped with sadness for most of the documentary. I don't really know why. I loved the few bits of Micah animation. I would have just as soon seen Coastal at home, with my own control of the sound system for the music parts. Like the last decades' releases, I enjoy them and keep up with a favorite artist that has been a large part of my personal soundtrack since 1970, but don't really know what to make of the sadness that this film bathed me in. Neil already did so much that was so very special to me, and so many. He already did that. I don't mind that the most special songs he will do have already been done. My life was enriched by them as they happened. Now, I love to check in, and see what he is doing, even if it brings me sadness, for whatever reason. Neil playing "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" on the bus might have been my personal favorite part.
That is some bus.
Thanks so much for the review Aer! Great to hear from you.
Know what you mean about the sadness and subduedness. The film was definitely for Neil fans. A very intimate exploration of the solo side of Neil. Mainly, rare songs performed live that most are unfamiliar with. Prime of Life, for example. So sublime. Sub-title could have been "Secrets of a Tour Bus Driver".
Also, good points on Mountaintop. Coastal is like the antithesis of Mountaintop. All of the crew tension and technical stress of Mountaintop is offset in Coastal by the whole mellow vibe and camaraderie of the artist and his fellow travelers. Its almost like Daryl wanted Coastal to be the opposite film of Mountaintop.
Coastal and Mountaintop will be a great double feature someday.
The theater was more than half full at the American Film Institute (AFI) Screen #2 and ended with applause. Many stayed afterwards hanging out and chatting about film.
w/ Dangerbird (NY cover band)
@ AFI, Silver Spring, MD - April 17
Henrik @ Berlin Screening
Thanks so much for sending Henrik!
Neil Young: Coastal
Directed by Daryl Hannah (Click photo to enlarge)
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