Leonard Cohen - Bird On A Wire (TMC)

"Bird On A Wire" is a documentary film about Leonard Cohen's 1972 tour. It shows Cohen on stage, and it shows him backstage. The feature focuses on the ups and downs of the tour. The documentary is a very accurate showing how certain dates were difficult technically or spiritually, and then there were absolute triumphs. Cohen and the band is presented in a very fair light, as very open and approachable people. And everyone who met Cohen can attest to that.

Not only does the documentary show the tour, but it captures the times it took place in. And in many ways that's absolutely great. You see practices and procedures that no longer take place. And for this writer it recaptures quite a few long lost memories.

What is similar between then and now is how the fans react to Cohen's music. He is often being mobbed for autographs, and he happily complies to his fans. There are women making some serious advances towards him, and he handles it with grace and respect. At one point you see Cohen refunding ticket money out of his own wallet to a disappointed fan. The pseudo-fan in question is a real chump, and I'm sure he'll be embarrassed by this feature. This film has it all. It is incredibly well balanced. It certainly proves being an artist involves a fair amount of troubles and tribulations. It's not just milk and honey as you see from the other side of the stage.

Tony Palmer who made this movie did an excellent job. It is very objective and leaves a great impression upon seeing it. "Bird On A Wire" is a hidden classic, and deserves to be seen.

Mark Kadzielawa