David Byrne's American Utopia

2020

2 hr. 15 min.

Musical

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List

97%

143 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Singer David Byrne and a group of international musicians perform songs from the hit Broadway musical "American Utopia."

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Premiered Jan 30

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Critics Consensus

Helmed in elegant and exhilarating style by Spike Lee, David Byrne's American Utopia is a concert film that doubles as a joyously cathartic celebration.

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Michele M

The play was thought provoking and entertaining. As always David Byrne continues to shine and be creative, collaborative, and has what a personality!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/21

Full Review

The Spinning Boy

Music, performance and staging of the show was great. Interview with Spike Lee at the beginning was an annoying waste of time. That opener only detracted from the film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/16/21

Full Review

dave d

Spike Lee does his best putting American Utopia on film as opposed to broadway, but frankly, the music just doesn't bring it together and everything feels claustrophobic. David Byrne is a marvel, and the choreography is spectacular, however, the songs in this musical only work when Byrne brings out his Talking Heads material. Final Score: 4.2/10

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/28/23

Full Review

ali g

Incredible production with focus on music and characters through visual minimalism Unique

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Ian M

A work of absolute genius. The best, or second best concert movie of all time depending on where you put Stop Making Sense.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/22

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Audience Member

Spike Lee's unique joint in sharing a performance of talents that seemingly deserves to catch awareness on multiple horizons despite functioning akin to differentiating interest in form that wouldn't usually qualify your worthwhile. Lee's filmography is filled with skillful performative platforms fueled by socially reflective commentary, which brings up a question where his fascination lies besides sharing the admiration with the fan base as a sole true value. The thematic approach under first impression is lyrical poetry dazzlingly backed up distractively to properly dissect like any normal approach towards the delicately complex, thoughtful format, hence how Lee connected with what the show means upon realization by eventual clarification of genuine exhilaration that sums up in truly capturing the sensation. Best to complement the presentation with reading the lyrics like any given poetry then revisit the show and enjoy it with better understanding/improved investment, but only if initial interest continues. (B)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Spike Lee

Director

David Byrne

Self

Meredith Bennett

Executive Producer

David Bither

Executive Producer

Len Blavatnik

Executive Producer

David Byrne

Executive Producer

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David Byrne's American Utopia: Trailer 1

1:08

David Byrne's American Utopia: Teaser Trailer

0:45

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Tim Robey

Monocle

What they've managed to do is create a permanent record of this amazing show, which I think will go down as one of the most meticulously crafted and contemplated performances by a major musician in history.

Mar 13, 2021

Full Review

Simran Hans

Observer (UK)

Director Spike Lee and musician David Byrne have created a crowd-pleaser with this spry concert film of Byrne's 2018 tour turned Broadway performance.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 19, 2020

Full Review

Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

It would have been a miraculous celebration of neighbourly love even if it hadn't been released in the middle of a pandemic. But, in these circumstances, that sense of temporary relief feels intoxicating.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 17, 2020

Full Review

Ryan McQuade

InSession Film

America Utopia is a warm, funky, intelligent, important blanket...

Apr 4, 2024

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Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

Byrne's message in the film is one of diversity, inclusiveness and togetherness. He also has a message that despite how hopeless things seem at the moment, there is still hope for the future. This is a very positive movie, full of joy and hope.

Rated: B+

Feb 12, 2024

Full Review

Greg Carlson

Vague Visages

A joyous march through the audience that captures a moment in time shortly before live performance went dark and imagines the thrill of being able to do it again in the future.

Feb 7, 2024

Full Review

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Synopsis

Singer David Byrne and a group of international musicians perform songs from the hit Broadway musical "American Utopia."

Director: Spike Lee
Executive Producer: Meredith Bennett, David Bither, Len Blavatnik, David Byrne
Production Co: Warner Music Group, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, River Road Entertainment, RadicalMedia
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 17, 2020

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