• Stop Making Sense (1999)

    Director Jonathan Demme captures the frantic energy and artsy groove of Talking Heads in this concert movie shot at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in 1983. The band's frontman, David Byrne, first appears on an empty stage, armed with only an acoustic guitar, and is gradually joined by bassist Tina Weymouth, drummer Chris Frantz, keyboardist Jerry Harrison and a cadre of backup singers as they perform the band's hits, culminating in an iconic performance featuring Byrne in an enormous suit.

    Amazon.comVUDUiTunes StoreYouTubeWatch Online
Stop Making Sense
89
metacriticBased on 9 Critics
86
Based on 29 Users

Release Date: May 28th, 1999

DVD Release Date: October 26th, 1999

PG |1 hr 28 min

Plot Summary

Director Jonathan Demme captures the frantic energy and artsy groove of Talking Heads in this concert movie shot at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in 1983. The band's frontman, David Byrne, first appears on an empty stage, armed with only an acoustic guitar, and is gradually joined by bassist Tina Weymouth, drummer Chris Frantz, keyboardist Jerry Harrison and a cadre of backup singers as they perform the band's hits, culminating in an iconic performance featuring Byrne in an enormous suit.

Cast: Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steven Scales, Lynn Mabry, Ednah Holt, Tina Weymouth, Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz

Director: Jonathan Demme

Genres: Documentary

Production Co: Arnold Stiefel Company

Keywords: Intense, 1980s

More on Wikipedia

Watch Online

Cast & Crew

view all

Ratings & Reviews

  • 100
    Edward GuthmannSan Francisco Chronicle

    Has there ever been a live concert film as vibrant or as brilliantly realized? I don't think so. [Review of re-release] show more

  • 100
    TV Guide Magazine

    By common consensus, Stop Making Sense is the best concert film ever made. show more

  • 100
    Wesley MorrisSan Francisco Examiner

    Part aerobics workout, part self-styled dreamscape, Sense is a hyperactive piece of performance art that begins as the stripped-down dress rehearsal of a garage band and builds into a mighty, exhausting spectacle that shakes as much ass as it kicks. [Review of re-release] show more

See all critic reviews on metacritic.com