A couple of weeks ago I found myself flipping through the channels on my television and saw that “I’m Your Man,†the Leonard Cohen concert documentary was on PBS again and I decided I needed to see it one more time as it is such a great film. Not only is it inspiring musically, but you hear Leonard Cohen in his own words talk about his life, his struggles, his weaknesses, his thoughts, and what drove him to write at different times during his long prestigious career.
Directed by Lian Lunson with music produced once again by famed music producer Hal Wilner, the concert portion of the film takes place in Sydney, Australia in 2005 at the Sydney Opera House and stars an impressive roster of guest artists performing Leonard Cohen songs. This included the likes of Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Linda Thompson, Teddy Thompson, Nick Cave, Jarvis Cocker, The Handsome Family, Beth Orton, Antony, with backup singers Peria Batalla and Julie Christensen and a special performance by Leonard Cohen with U2’s Bono and The Edge filmed specifically for the movie.
The story is told by Cohen and is taken from interviews that were filmed in LA. It is interspersed with old photo’s and home movies from Cohen’s life, spanning from his childhood in Montreal, to his life as a monk, the past and the present. Cohen speaks candidly about his personal journey; his influences, the twists and turns his life has taken; his spiritual quest including becoming a monk; and it also delves a bit into the rumors of his romantic life and female escapades of which he has also became famous.
“I’m Your Man†is worth seeing on so many levels. Released in 2006 this award- winning story is incredibly interesting and the music is fantastic! If at any time over the past 40 years you have found yourself taken by this wonderful musician poet, or if this is the first time you are being introduced to Leonard Cohen, he is someone you will want to know, and this is a movie you will want to see.  Available on DVD, it also plays occasionally on PBS.  If you haven’t already experienced its pleasure, consider taking the time to do so.
Below is a link to the movies trailer. Get a preview by either clicking on the link below or cutting and pasting it into your browser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPUnexRUD4U
