Thursday, December 11, 2008

CSNY Déjà Vu

Co-written and directed by Bernard Shakey--known better as artist, rocker and social commentator Neil Young--CSNY Déjà Vu documents the reunion of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young as they prepare for and carry out their 2006 Freedom Of Speech tour.

The tour and the documentary, built around war protest songs written by Young, are designed to facilitate a dialogue about the current wars in which America is engaged. Young and the band clearly believe the war is immoral and illegal; however, Young presents a fairly balanced perspective in the film. Negative reviews of the tour are included, comments from disgruntled fans are aired and concert-goers who leave arenas in protest when "Let's Impeach The President" is played get their say on-camera as to why they love CSN&Y's songs, but not their politics.

CSN&Y Déjà Vu is a well made film. If you put it into the DVD player expecting "Suite Judy Blue Eyes", you will be sorely disappointed. The harmonies are not as tight as you remember, and there isn't a new melody in the entire 90 minutes that sticks in my head.

If, like me, you watch enjoy watching artists display their talents with passion and a sense of purpose, this flick will satisfy. It is poignant, and thought provoking.

And, I thought, it's still relevent.




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