The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

I saw this in the theatre back in 1984 and remember liking it. I like the Talking Heads and think this was made during the peak of their career. I like Demme and think this was made during the peak of his career. Still, I kind of suspected that if I watched it again I would think that the adulation this film garners is a bit overblown. No, I was wrong. This really is the work of a a band and a director at the peak of their powers and meshing completely.

Stop Making Sense does what a concert film is supposed to do: focus on the music. No in depth interviews with the performers, no extended shots of the audience, and no massive set pieces to distract from the music. The lesson: keep it simple, stupid.This minimalism is reflected in the set design. What we get is a largely bare stage with some creative use of lighting and projections to liven things up. This puts the onus entirely on the artists, and it works wonderfully. The performance is energetic, with the film building up from just Byrne on stage to the whole band. Even when the stage is occupied by a lone performer, it keeps your attention.Even the costumes reflect this minimalist aesthetic. All the primary band members where bland, gray costumes, with the only wardrobe being the famous "big suit" which is still pretty drab.

I watched this wonderful musical experience on DVD recently. I hadn't seen it for at least ten years and was delighted to see how well it's stood the test of time. Memories came flooding back of going to see it several times in the cinema with my then girlfriend (now my wife of twenty three years). Every time we went we met the same group of friends, smuggled in some beer, then danced all the way through the movie. Anyone too young to remember Talking Heads in their prime should watch Stop Making Sense and see how a group of talented musicians can put on a stunning show without the need for any flashy pyrotechnics. The originality and quality of the music and the clever use of simple lighting combine to make this a must see movie. Just be sure to move back the furniture so you have room to dance!

It's a good thing that the Talking Heads broke up when they did. I mean, could you imagine them slogging it out today, playing the state fair circuit, or worse, the street fair circuit? No, watch this film. See a band at its creative and energetic peak. Remember them as they were over the two or three days in which it was filmed. Of course, you must watch David Byrne. He would make his entire body a performance art. He would contort, jog, dance, leap, and even make his clothes a prop.But, watch Tina Weymouth...Tina is a very visual performer too. She says almost nothing, letting her bass guitar speak for her. And while David goes over the top often, Tina is subtle and sublime. With her body moves as she dances in place. With her facial expressions, her smiles, occasional raised eyebrows, and glances. Then when the action shifts to the Tom Tom Club (in order to give David a break and allow him to change into his big suit), her big moment is for one song only--"Genius of Love" but man does she seize the moment and make it all her own! Rounding out the Talking Heads of course are drummer Chris Frantz (Tina Weymouth's husband for over 30 years now) and guitarist/keyboardist Jerry Harrison. When Chris takes the stage, he bounds up onto the riser, bows, and with a big smile, gets drumming. He is clearly enjoying himself during this and at the end of the show, he jubilantly throws his sticks into the audience. Jerry is a little harder to get a bead on. At times he's clearly enjoying himself, particularly on BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE. Other times he seems a little detached.Rounding out the touring band are Alex Weir on lead guitar, Bernie Worrel on keyboards, Edna Holt and Lynn Marbry on back-up vocals, and Steve Scales on percussion. None are treated as sidemen, rather as an integral part of the show.It has been commented that some "sweetening" of the sound was done. But I believe that it was to achieve sound consistency. I have heard several concert films with terrible audio (RUST NEVER SLEEPS comes to mind). Seeing this movie is what made me a Talking Heads fan back in 1985. Finding a copy at the used book store in 2006 is what helped me re-discover them.It would be easy to dismiss the Talking Heads as all visual as all David Byrne. Such is not the case. The songwriting and musicianship was solid throughout the band's career. The band remained together for several more years, scoring several additional hits including AND SHE WAS, LADY DON'T MIND, & WILD WILD LIFE. They called it quits as a band in 1991, although all four members have remained active in music.