User Reviews

I'd seen the concert version of Greendale (rock opera?) in Phoenix, AZ, and was impressed. The film was shot all in Super 8 which I think fits perfect with Neil Young's style over the decades. It's rocky, rainy day feeling goes hand in hand with Neil's music. The original way in which the characters mouth the lines that Neil sings (the albumn Greendale plays through the whole film) made me think that the film would be boring in the beginning. But the images on the screne, along with the music, complete the story nicely. Young focuses on the Green family and their stuggles in the town of Greendale. Basically, their a family of hippies dealing with the media, law enforcement, and environmental destruction. Young expresses his opinions though song and the characters act them out. I recommend this film to anyone, especially if you're a fan of Shakey...

It's a strange movie, but I would heartily recommend it to people who either like or love Neil Young and are interested in experimental cinema. The story is thin (but there is one), yes, but it's definitely a mind-affecting experience.

The thing I took away from it most (apart from the obvious ecological message, but that's always been a theme of Young's) was the stylistic choice to film most of the scenes in extra-grainy Super 8, but to insert these highly-produced segments from (fictional) TV news stations and the like. It's a simple message, but a good one: Young's trying to tell us that the world we see on TV, even the allegedly real world of news, isn't real, and that we trust it at our peril. The real world is shaky, and blurry, and hard to make out sometimes. Anything that looks slick, and easy to understand, is probably fake.

Let me preface this commentary by saying that i don't care about lighting, sound, technique or acting skills. I just go by what moves me.

This film moved me. It's message (which in my opinion is the most important part of a film) was beautiful. You might have to watch it twice to catch all the nuances. But worth it

Perhaps, or most likely a lot, of people will not like this movie, but who cares about people that care about the wayans brothers. Certainly not me. Another thing you should keep in mind when watching this movie is that all the actors are friends of Neil Young, they are not professional actors and shouldn't be judged as such. Just keep looking for the message. It's also funny and more importantly, makes you think a little. And heaven forbid that we do that in this country.

A film written and directed by Neil Young, "Greendale" is little more than an 87-minute music video set to a doxen or so of the songwriter's works. In lieu of dialogue, the film relies exclusively on Young's lyrics, which are heavily laced with sociopolitical commentary, to tell the "story" while actors act out the scenes.

Given the hammy performances and the shoddy graininess of the picture, the effect is the equivalent of Young blowing up some of his own home movies and releasing them for public consumption. Although there is allegedly a "story" running through the film, we really have no idea what is going on thanks mainly to the unpolished look of the film, the lack of dialogue and the amateurish ineptitude of the acting. All we get for eighty-seven minutes is a bunch of aging hippies cavorting silently through an incoherent narrative while Young's songs play endlessly on the soundtrack. The whole thing turns into a tedious exercise in self-indulgence. "Greendale" gives off-Hollywood, low budget movie-making a bad name.

I turned this on last night, fully intending to watch something else within the half hour.

I had no idea what it was about or that it was a Neil Young musical. It did exactly what Neil Young's music has always done for me, start me off slow and suck me right in. By the end I could NOT sit down, I had to get up and dance. Great theme, wonderful message, terrific music. I can't wait to see it again. The filming itself was well done, a kind of perfected 8mm which reminded me of the era in which the director and myself were raised. I'm encouraging all my friends to see this, and already planning a group viewing.

I saw this film when it played in Vancouver and, although it had a bit of an amaturish feel about it, there was a sponteneity and flow about it that grabbed me from the outset and pulled me in right through to the hope filled climax. I doubt that this film will win any converts, however. You either get Neil Young, or you don't. Except for his middle-of-the-road Heart of Gold stuff, most of Neil's music lacks the polish of your usual radio fluff. Neil is not for surface dwellers. To get into him--whether his film, his concerts or his albums--you got to get underneath the surface cliches and his naselly vocal distortions. This film has heart, as does the album Greendale and once you attune to his undertow, it will never let you go.

I'm a big mark for the music of Neil Young, and with that and the glowing praise the film received in many alt-indie press circles, hit the first showing of Greendale I could find. My excitement was short-lived, as this turgid storyline and weak lyrical momentum left most filmgoers either asleep or disappointed.

Neil says the film started as a soundtrack, and the characters came to life so much that they just filmed the soundtrack. Not the best way to craft a story. No character really has an arc, and when "significant" events do happen, the viewer doesn't cared, because film technique annoyance levels are so high by that point. The film is all song, and to that end, the characters on end mouth the lyrics as they're sung...the technique works for the first stanza it is done, and is grating on the nerves after that. It doesn't feel real or fake, it just feels unwelcome.

Terrible acting, with characters finding one mood and playing all of it. Poor lighting at times. The only kudos I can give the film are in regard to several scenes shot as newscast, but the technique is so used in cinema today that this film did little to further it. An alright soundtrack, but nothing I'm quick to buy. A bad film.

I taped this off the Sundance channel because it got 2 1/2 stars, but hadn't the remotest idea of what it was. Smart move on my part. From the first grainy minutes of images of what I knew must be a small Northerb California town I'd been to at some time, accompanied by a mesmerizing sound track I told myself was Neil Young himself, I relaxed into a very mellow mood and stayed there for almost an hour and a half. The cast of unknowns, from a great old Grandpa figure to a great Devil character, were perfect and most did a good job of pretending to sing the lyrics which went all through the picture, as continual narration taking the place of dialog. This is as unusual and entertaining a film experience as I could have asked for. My willingness to explore the unknown was richly rewarded. Thank you, Neil Young.

Neil Young's companion film to his concept album of the same name is rendered in a grainy color 8mm silent film -- accompanied by the music of the album. The hook is that while the cast acts out the events of the songs, they lip sync to Young's vocals. The effect is at once strange, startling and somewhat boring. The production values are quite low, but the fidelity in image and setting is interestingly contrasted within the editorial content of the film. The story involves a family that is riven by violence and the gathering forces of media and government that exploit it. Young uses this situation and the bucolic town of "Greendale" to make an argument about the evolution of American life, the march of conservative politics and most particularly, the plight of the environment. After an hour of watching what mostly feels like Young's home movies, bumbling and blurry, he violently cuts to the razor sharp video images of the media descending upon the town. It's easy to dismiss this film as cheaply made and lazily conceived. But the film closes with the image of a newly-politicized young couple driving to Alaska to "save the Caribou" -- with the Devil hitching a ride. Young may be suggesting that in the end the terrible forces that rain down on "Greendale" ascended from there as well.

Watching Greendale brought to mind two other film experiences: Fellini movies and Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon". What does Greendale have in common with them? The viewing attitude that made me appreciate them. In younger days I had trouble understanding Fellini plots, until making a conscious decision to leave intellect out of it and just "experience" what I was watching. From that point on I became a huge Fellini fan. With Barry Lyndon, a friend had reported that the plot was tedious and boring. But another friend's comment motivated me to see it - he said that it was like viewing an endless stream of painting masterpieces. I saw Barry Lyndon with that attitude - and to this day it ranks as one of my favorite movies due to the visual (and audio) experience. (And I've completely forgotten the plot and the acting.)

I'm not comparing Neil Young to Fellini or Kubrick. And I have no argument with critics of Greendale's cinematic or acting qualities, other than to feel that they've missed the point. If you need to enjoy professional acting, don't pick a movie where the characters are amateurs and friends. If you're a fan of cinematic technique, don't compare Greendale to textbook rules. If you must have a traditional plot and story line, look elsewhere. And if you're not prepared to treat it as an "experience", you may be disappointed.

As for me, I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience that has stayed with me for much longer than most other movies. Thank you, Neil.

(Postscript - I'm not qualified to buy into the debate as to whether being a Neil Young fan is a prerequisite to enjoying Greendale. He's been one of my favorite musicians for decades.)

My commentary has nothing to do with the political sentiments found in the film. In fact, they're quite congruent with mine. What gets me is the fact that in terms of a movie, it is stupid and devoid of any semblance of story, motive or dialogue. Maybe someone should tell Neal that substituting lyrics of songs which are failing to inspire anyone outside of a dwindling audience isn't the same thing as creating characters who are motivated to speak because of events created by the writer or director. A silly narrative remains as such despite the iconic legacy of Neal Young. The most childish scene is the one where the devil dances his way into a bar, slips a tonic to an unsuspecting hero, who then finds his way onto the dance floor to mouth the words to Young song to the heroine, who is unaware of what's taken place. Somehow these two dream up a scheme where they will go up the West Coast in search of????? Sorry Neal, stick with music and leave film making to Steven Stills.

At first, I had no farkin idea WTH I was watching, but the music sounded familiar. The channel Guide on Comcast is freakin USELESS ever since TV Guideless took it over, since 9 out of 10 descriptions are WRONG, so I just watched for awhile and I was hooked. The way that the film just ambles along until you expect something crazy to happen is great. It has a home-made licker feel to it, you know, Corn-licker. I loved the way it made me feel. Not many flicks make you feel anything anymore. Not so with Greendale. This is an addictive film, and I think Neil made it that way. I just hope it hooks the rest of this lost nation of Apathetic Zombies that call themselves........'Merkins....

Neil Young's music is deceptively simple. At first there doesn't seem to be a lot going on...however in the end you'd be hard pressed to find more powerful or meaningful songwriting. If you agree with this statement, then there is a good bet that you will enjoy this film. If not...well you might wanna steer clear. I've seen a lot of negative comments on this film, and I guess it can be said that it is either a movie that you will either love, or be confused and put off. I personally loved it. You don't have to be a fan of Young's to enjoy this, but it would sure help,as there is no spoken dialog whatsoever...the story is told exclusively through the songs on the album. It is a bit confusing at first, but as Neil wrote in the liner notes "Don't feel bad if you feel a little out of it...I mean I wrote it and I don't know what the hell is going on" The grainy film seemed annoying at first, but quickly fits the mood of the film. And admittedly the "lip syncing" of the dialog seems a bit corny at first, but that is something you get used to as well. What you are left with is a story beautiful in it's simplicity. Can I explain why? I'm not sure...I found myself completly mesmerized by the film. The music never gets complicated, but is so damn addicting, I found myself bobbing my head througout the film. I had the album since it came out, but never fully appreciated it until I had the visual companion. Now the songs take on new meaning. It's hard to judge the cast since there isn't really any acting, but everyone plays their parts well. (I personally would like to see more of Sarah White) In the end, it's a simply shot movie about simple folk in a simple town, told entirely by "simple" songs...however like his albums, at the end of it all I was left sitting in awe at what I had just experienced.

I realize how it is with fans and super-fans. They love their artist and wish to find anything good or redeeming in their latest work. Even when it isn't really there. I've loved Neil's music since the olden days, yet I was not very entertained by this movie.

The music was essentially a one-off. He went into a studio with Crazy Horse (minus Pancho) and just dashed off a bunch of songs, recorded them, done. This has worked well for him on some of his past record albums, but all the electric songs sound the same here, and not really very good at all by NY-CH standards. The acoustic tune "What You Were Looking For" is OK, and the electric finisher "Be The River" is rousing and enjoyable (in large part thanks to the kids doing the chorus refrain).

The Story? It's there if you pay close attention, but I soon found myself not caring enough to try. As I felt that he didn't care enough either.

Just to answer to those who presume Mr. Shaky of self indulgence and amateurish egocentricity! Being what his name brings, you cannot expect a Kubrick movie! Are you in the latest technology to produce the highest quality in sound or images? Forget this 'movie': it's the revenge of the rascals! For those worried about giving him more money, so he will eventually produce MORE of this, stay still! Some praise this movie as a brilliant opera from a genius, who's fighting for the rights of Mother Earth to survive the naughty and idiotic children: humanity. Anyway, maybe because I watched it on my birthday (it was a present I made to myself), I enjoyed it as an intimate 'over the shoulder' look at a private family diary: and after all it's just this! A family story with a turn: we are ALL family, on this Mother/Father planet...

Please note: I cannot give it a vote; maybe there should be a 'Not Valuable' sort of option to place on this kind of works.

"Greendale" is Neil Young's unbearably pretentious movie about the Green family of Greendale (pretty imaginative, eh?). It's basically an 87-minute-long music video, emphasis on LONG. Some of the songs are really good, such as "Devil's Sidewalk" and "Be The Rain", other songs are okay, and some just go on and on... like this movie. When it was over, I was so relieved!

I certainly don't begrudge or knock Neil Young for experimenting in a medium outside of rock 'n' roll. This is the fourth movie he's directed (the third as Bernard Shakey), so he has some experience with the medium. And he's chosen to tell the story in an experimental fashion, with grainy film and characters lip-syncing the words to the 12(?) songs that are part of the Greendale soundtrack. Fair enough. The problem is the story itself, or lack of one. Neil Young is making a lot of left-leaning points in this movie, but they're thrown at the audience without context, without a comprehensible plot or story. The movie reeks of pretentiousness and self-importance. I half-expected the town to become a character called Greendale that would leap down from the screen, and would personally make each audience member (including me) bow down and admit the importance of this movie, and what a work of utter genius it was.

Neil Young is one of the most famous living songwriters in the world, one of the few people who can be mentioned in the same breath as Bob Dylan. I'm 39-years-old as I write this, and I've heard most of Neil Young's albums spanning from his 1969 release "Neil Young", to his 1983 release "Everybody's Rockin'", where I completely lost interest in him. On almost all of Young's albums from that 1969-1983 period, there were one or two good or great songs on each album, and the rest completely forgettable. Even the one album I did own, "Rust Never Sleeps," had just one great song, I couldn't tell you what was on the rest of the album.

I mention this because I want to draw an analogy between his albums and "Greendale". Young should have felt obligated to give me more than two good songs to make it worth my 87 minutes and my $9.25 (in 2004 dollars). At least give me a story that's comprehensible. But there's no story here, just a lot of "save Alaska" sentiment in a muddled mess of a movie. I'll come right out and say it: this film has NO PLOT and NO STORY! What the hell did I just see? I should probably mention at this point that I'm a left-leaning guy who has never voted Republican, so I had high hopes for this movie.

If this movie is about a cause Neil Young wants to convert us to, he's not going to win any converts with this arty-elite meaningless jumble. I respect Neil Young, but this movie... What the hell did I just see?

The jest of this film is people have their priorities mixed up. The death of a human being is no doubt important, but what about the Earth? What if the Earth is alive? What if it considers people a threat to it's life? What if the Earth decides it doesn't want us anymore?

If it sounds like Neil thinks this film's message is important it is possible that he may be right. It may just be the most important message any human will hear.

Notice when kids are growing up and they think they know everything? Well, the human race is growing up and it thinks it knows everything, but just like those kids, for the most part, it barely has a clue.

I am sitting here in a Tim Hortons just after watching Greendale. I should say that I am not a big fan of neil young. I appreciate his work but I'm not a fan. However I really enjoyed Greendale. I don't think this film can be judged or viewed in the same context as your average film. Doing so would raise many criticisms. The key here is to take the film for what it has to offer and also understand that this is a very unique filmatic presentation. Its very creative and I feel it does a good job of entertaining as well as provoking thought. True there isn't a deep plot, great character development or a strong screenplay as a foundation. Rather this film is an artistic fusion of music and emulsion. So go see it and just watch and enjoy. There is nothing really offensive with this film. It may not satisfy your desire for the aforementioned assets but it has unique redeeming values. I enjoyed the music so much I am going to buy the cd or the DVD if its available.

Brett