MusicDocumentary

Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart

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An incredible retracing of the evolution of Reed's remarkable career over three decades. Filled with interviews with Reed, his friends and some of the major artists influenced by Reed including David Bowie, David Byrne, Patti Smith, Suzanne Vega, Dave Stewart, Philip Glass and more. Production Notes, Biographies, Discography, Scene Access, Screen Test, Rare Velvet Footage

Release Date : 1998-04-29

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company :

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles : Lou Reed - Rock and Roll Hear

Cast

Lou Reed

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Lou Reed

Gender : Male

David Bowie

Character Name : Self

Original Name : David Bowie

Gender : Male

David Byrne

Character Name : Self

Original Name : David Byrne

Gender : Male

Václav Havel

Character Name : Self

Original Name : Václav Havel

Gender : Male

Reviews

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

Bitty doc about the Avante Garde Rocker. Lou Reed,legend, simple as. Here under the American Masters series he gets just over 70 minutes of screen time, which ultimately isn't enough. For fans of his work, both solo and with the legendary Velvet Underground, it's "nice" to have something on film, to see him acknowledged, and I guess for interested outsiders this is a good "grooming" doc. Yet there's so much missing, key periods in his career are given short shrift and replaced by stock filler concert scenes - none of which play the whole songs! Is there anything here that fans will learn that is new? Possible not. The newcomers get a sample of his early influences, from romantic poets to beat street artists, the Velvet Underground period gets good time, with welcome chatter from John Cale and Mo Tucker, then his solo work is covered by a series of interview snippets, with credible and interesting back stories to some of his famous songs. The live footage pleases the eyes and ears, while the roll call of back slappers is mercifully not over-killed. But it's not even close to being definitive and that just comes off as a shame and a wasted opportunity. 6/10