![Robyn Hitchcock](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTY5M2EwNGItNzM0Mi00NzBhLWI3YmMtNjllZTMwOWE0ZGFlXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMjE5MzM3MjA@._V1_QL75_UX500_CR0,109,500,281_.jpg)
"Storefront Hitchcock" starring British singer-songwriter and cult favorite Robyn Hitchcock represents director Jonathan Demme's first full-length concert film since his seminal "Stop Making Sense". This effort is unlikely to duplicate the Talking Heads film's crossover success, since it is a much more subdued, low-key affair that is bound to appeal mainly to diehard Hitchcock fans.
Receiving its theatrical premiere at New York's Film Forum, the film will soon assume its rightful place on the music video shelves.
Hitchcock, who led two bands (Soft Boys and the Egyptians) before his solo career, is an eccentric folk-rock performer known for his accessible melodies, highly elliptical and poetical lyrics and amusing, stream-of-consciousness, between-song patter. Taken from four sets performed during the course of two days, "Storefront Hitchcock" presents the singer delivering 15 songs in front of a large window in a 14th Street storefront in Manhattan. Since for at least part of the time everything is visible from the street, there are many amusing moments as various passers-by peer through the windows trying to see what's going on.
Since this inevitably wears thin after a while, Demme eventually concentrates on the performer himself, although he attempts to provide mild visual diversion through various colored backdrops and an ever-changing assortment of stage props.
Hitchcock mainly performs solo on guitar and harmonica, although at various times he is joined by violinist Deni Bonet and guitarist Tim Keegan. With the lack of visual stimulation, one's attention is inevitably focused on the thoughtful music, which the singer performs with suitable intensity.
Although "Storefront Hitchcock" lacks the visceral excitement of the best concert documentaries, it does offer an excellent introduction to a notable musician who has never received the attention he deserves. A companion CD and double LP of the same title have just been released on Warner Bros. Records.
STOREFRONT HITCHCOCK
Orion Pictures/MGM
Director: Jonathan Demme
Producer: Peter Saraf for Clinica Estetico
Executive producers: Gary Groetzman, Edward Saxon
Director of photography: Anthony Jannelli
Editor: Andy Keir
Color/stereo
Running time -- 81 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Receiving its theatrical premiere at New York's Film Forum, the film will soon assume its rightful place on the music video shelves.
Hitchcock, who led two bands (Soft Boys and the Egyptians) before his solo career, is an eccentric folk-rock performer known for his accessible melodies, highly elliptical and poetical lyrics and amusing, stream-of-consciousness, between-song patter. Taken from four sets performed during the course of two days, "Storefront Hitchcock" presents the singer delivering 15 songs in front of a large window in a 14th Street storefront in Manhattan. Since for at least part of the time everything is visible from the street, there are many amusing moments as various passers-by peer through the windows trying to see what's going on.
Since this inevitably wears thin after a while, Demme eventually concentrates on the performer himself, although he attempts to provide mild visual diversion through various colored backdrops and an ever-changing assortment of stage props.
Hitchcock mainly performs solo on guitar and harmonica, although at various times he is joined by violinist Deni Bonet and guitarist Tim Keegan. With the lack of visual stimulation, one's attention is inevitably focused on the thoughtful music, which the singer performs with suitable intensity.
Although "Storefront Hitchcock" lacks the visceral excitement of the best concert documentaries, it does offer an excellent introduction to a notable musician who has never received the attention he deserves. A companion CD and double LP of the same title have just been released on Warner Bros. Records.
STOREFRONT HITCHCOCK
Orion Pictures/MGM
Director: Jonathan Demme
Producer: Peter Saraf for Clinica Estetico
Executive producers: Gary Groetzman, Edward Saxon
Director of photography: Anthony Jannelli
Editor: Andy Keir
Color/stereo
Running time -- 81 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
- 11/19/1998
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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