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Critique du film documentaire Moonage Daydream.

Vincent Maille

Le mardi 11 octobre 2022, dans le cadre d’une exploration sur l’art du portrait menée lors du module d’anglais, les étudiants de CPES-CAAP ont assisté au ciné St Leu à la projection du documentaire de Brett Morgen sur David Bowie, Moonage Daydream.
Voici ce qu’ils en ont pensé :

A travel in David Bowie’s mind

Colors, flashes, loud images… what a clever way to portray this magnificent person ! We could feel dizzy while watching those archives one after the other zigzagging across Bowie’s life and creating an infinite loop. However, some elements are missing : what about the drugs ? What about his mental health issues ? The way the movie is constructed is very confusing, but wasn’t Bowie ? As someone who didn’t know this singer, except for his name, I’ve discovered his universe both through the numerous archives- some never seen before- and Morgen’s non-linear editing. But I wish the movie were more entertaining, because it’s sometimes difficult to stay focused on the ongoing flow of images and sounds.
Fortunately, Bowie’s ever-changing personality is a really fascinating watch. Seeing his talents for all forms of arts, the way he made up all his personas, such as the iconic Ziggy Stardust, and most importantly his way of seeing life is very inspiring and so relatable for people struggling to find their place in society just like Bowie did. His spirituality and his search for wisdom are a big part of the movie and make a big contrast with his period of extravagant dressing. We can finally take a deep breath and at the end of the documentary, go back to where it has begun: the landing has been completed successfully, Morgen’s masterpiece has led the way.
Lisa D

Moonage Daydream : a chaotic cohesion
Portraying the real David Bowie was what drove Brett Morgen to make Moonage Daydream. To our delight, he succeeded ! For two hours and fourteen minutes, Brett Morgen sends us into a spiral of whirling colors, sounds and universes. With his magnificent editing skills, he creates a juxtaposition of scenes which leave the watcher mesmerized. We are there, wondering what’s next while trying to find our breath through all this tension.
On top of being a cinematic masterpiece, the movie offers a fresh point of view on who Bowie was. In fact, our image of him is totally reinvented. The junkie rockstar is no more. We discover a calm, articulate Bowie who speaks to us in a soothing voice. A Bowie who knows who he is, who is stable and self-introspective. Some may say that the movie is an idealization of the singer, however, all the genius of this film relies on the implied elements. Yes, we don’t see Bowie taking drugs and yes, we don’t see Bowie’s manic personality either. But Morgen subtly hints at them from the rapid cuts through the splashes of loud animated images.
In short, Moonage Daydream is a worthwhile immersive experience. Even if initially you’re not a fan, I guarantee that it will leave you electrified. So don’t walk, run to your local theater !
Lindsay T

Moonage Daydream – Brett MORGEN

This movie, made by Brett MORGEN, is about David Bowie’s career, life, and art.
The first thing we noticed is the particular rhythm of the sequences. Indeed, we are directly immersed in the universe of this strange man and the opening is an effective introduction to the rest of the documentary, but, warning: if you are epileptic, you might not finish this movie!

The colorful and very dynamic images could not satisfy everybody, as their effect could be overwhelming and even exhausting. In fact, only the calm voice of David Bowie allows us to rest from time to time.

If you want to know the story of David BOWIE, Moonage Daydream is definitely not the right option. But, if you want to get a deep dive into BOWIE’s mindset and spirit, Morgan’s movie could be very most enlightening.

Although the way the movie tells his story might be a bit unusual, it seems to be the best way to picture the strange life the ant conformist artist had, with its spiraling and even cyclic structure conveying Bowie’s winding path: we witness his constant juggling between pauses, spiritual retreats, and very intense periods of fame and chaos.

The movie really succeeds in showing all that, though it might not suit everyone’s tastes or expectations. You really have to be an unconditional fan of Bowie to be able to see through Morgen’s elaborate editing that connects you to the artist’s psyche, and to actually enjoy the documentary without getting lost.
Violette B. and Gabriella P.

Review for MOONAGE DAYDREAM

An explosion of colours and sounds fitting perfectly together, and, in the middle of that kaleidoscope: a man, David Bowie, who guides us throughout the story of his legendary life. This is how I would describe Moonage Daydream. I left the cinema my eyes full of stars, my head full of songs, and with a will to make the most of life. Because, if there’s anything Bowie has intended to shows us, it is that we can do whatever we want and that there are endless possibilities of what a person can do or be.
This movie is an aesthetic prowess that transports us into Bowie’s universe like we are on a psychedelic galactic trip. We are witnesses to that man’s journey towards hope and self-fulfilment, we discover how much he loved life, which is something quite unusual in the « rock star industry ». We see him going through phases, trying to find himself, to heal from various traumas and that is compellingly inspiring.
In that way, Moonage Daydream is a true tribute to David Bowie : that man considered a god by some, an alien by others but who truly was a human who kept his humility until the end.
Lucie D.

« I had an extraordinary life » – David Bowie

Moonage Daydream is definitely an unconventional documentary. Brett Morgen collected never-before-seen archive images of Bowie’s life that might make no sense for those who expect to discover who David Bowie was. The archives are the most important features, it is not a re-creation or a creation, it is something taken from Bowie’s real life.
It is not a biopic, which might be quite disturbing, it is Bowie’s own philosophy in words and images. If you want to see how David Bowie quit taking drugs, you won’t find it in this movie…
It shows how multifaceted an artist Bowie was. It is a movie that targets Bowie’s unconditional fans. Indeed, the documentary breaks the codes of chronology, we dive into the universe of David Bowie without any safe vest or spacesuit in this case. The movie direction is true to David Bowie’s zags and colorful personas.Brett Morgen finds a way to illustrate the life of David Bowie in the most respectful manner, conveying who he was on and off stage, it is someone who enjoyed life and its every moments.
Steeven G. and Lucas D.

Moonage Daydream is a movie portraying the iconic David Bowie. At first glance, this movie looks more like a documentary, edited like a catalog of archives dubbed by various archival interviews of the artist himself. That might sound a bit of a put-off, however, the juxtaposition of the two allows connection between Bowie’s life and his philosophy. It raises questions too, and Bowie’s answers are inspiring and thought-provoking.
The film shows David Bowie’s evolution through his so many characters, and how his personality influenced his work and the work of others, and we can’t help but be in awe of his self-confidence, and the affirmation of himself.
It also shows how multifaceted an artist he was, from painting to experimental movies and music.

Erwan P. and Léa B.