I attended the 6:15 showing of the movie tonight, and Spike Lee has done a phenomenal job translating this show to film. The camera work highlights the intricacies of the staging and the writing. Watching the show on film (and particularly with the cast and creative team in attendance) added another layer to the storytelling. You weren't only watching the story of a young man growing up, but also watching actors commit to their art, an angle which makes the entire film more moving. In fact, many of the most moving moments, for me, were during the intermission and curtain call, when the actors drop their onstage personas. It only enhanced the show's questions on art and self.
Stew, Heidi, Spike, the cast, and band were on hand to answer a few questions. They were generous and welcoming and certainly made us feel a part of their journey. I only wish there were more time for Q & A. Truly one of those NY experiences that I will cherish for a long time.
Also caught the film today, if you can get down to IFC Center I definitely recommend it. Aside from the brilliance of this translation to film, the surround sound quality was used to GREAT advantage. Really a very strong film in my opinion, it sincerely works. It will be ONDEMAND next week I believe, but again - worth a trip downtown to catch it in the theater if you have the chance.
I was also at the 6:15 screening last night. It's kind of a weird feeling to watch a movie when everyone on screen is sitting around you. The camerawork is fantastic and Spike's choices with some of the areas like the grainy footage in "Must Have Been High" and the incorporation of the handheld camera footage during "Identity" were superb. I'm so happy I was able to go last night. I'm sure I'll be back down there again soon even though I can just get it On Demand on Wednesday. My only complaint was I wanted the sound a bit louder, but that has to do with the theater and not the film.