Stop Making Sense (1984)

Director Jonathan Demme

Acclaimed filmmaker Jonathan Demme made his documentary debut with Stop Making Sense - a groundbreaking concert film which showcased the wacky exploits of the seminal bunch of art school dropouts turned arty new wavers known as the Talking Heads.

David Byrne walks onto the stage and does a solo “Psycho Killer.” Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz join him for two more songs. The crew is busy, still setting up. Then, three more musicians and two back-up singers join the band. Everybody sings, plays, harmonizes, dances, and runs. They change instruments and clothes. Bryne appears in the Big Suit. The backdrop is often black, but sometimes it displays words, images, or children’s drawings. The band cooks for 18 songs, the lyrics are clear, the house rocks. In this concert film, the Talking Heads hardly talk, don’t stop, and always make sense.