BuzzFlash Reviews

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS

This is a documentary about the profound dedication of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to end the Iraq War and a national tour they made to that end.

One online reviewer writes:

This is a documentary film,not a concert or musical. There are parts of songs but no full song is shown apart from the "Find The Cost of Freedom" video and the "Living with War" videos that are "extras".

A powerful and thought provoking document, this film is set against the Iraq War and shows both sides of the political argument, while enforcing the band's belief that the war should end now. Filmed during CSN & Y's "Freedom of Speech" tour the film shows reactions from the audience both for and against the band's songs. From veterans themselves and, something I found truly heartrending, from the families of those killed in war.

The film is an honest account of the tour, even showing a fall by Steve Stills on stage and the rough edges still evident during the early part of the tour.It shows some audience members booing and walking out of concerts. However, one must ask what these people were doing at a CSN&Y concert in the first place given their long history and repetoir of anti war material together with Young's well publicised Living With War album.

There are three moments from the film that are still embeded in my mind. The first, a veteran who has lost both her legs in battle now fighting in the political arena. The second, a mother who has lost a son in Iraq. Seeing her son's photo with thousands of others, on the screen behind the stage, she reflects that this has been the first time she has seen any public recognition of her sons sacrifice. Finally an audience member advises us that the Government is smarter than us so we should not question it! Now that is scary.

Another online reviewer writes:

"CSNY / Déjà Vu" documents a politically charged reunion tour of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. While you may not have realized it by listening to classic rock radio, the band always had a political conscience. In particular, "Déjà Vu" (1970) featured 'Ohio,' a protest song about the Kent State shootings. Fast forward thirty-five years to the "Déjà Vu" film. The concept of déjà vu is used as a poetic device to make a connection between the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. So on one hand, this is a film about a musical tour but it is also a highly critical piece about George W. Bush and his handling of the Iraq War. Exclusively political segments show band members participating in rallies to support the election of anti-war candidates. There are heartfelt profiles of military personnel and their families. At one point Neil Young jams with Josh Hisle, a military veteran turned anti-war rocker. One of the most emotionally charged moments happens when the band is heckled in Atlanta. Scenes from the Colbert Report add humor to an otherwise heavy film. Musically, the 2006 Freedom of Speech tour featured a combination of material off the original "Déjà Vu" album and Neil Young's "Living with War" (2006). Old favorites like 'For What It's Worth' and 'Déjà Vu' find new significance along side newer songs like 'Let's Impeach the President' and 'Living with War.' The soundtrack is a good accompaniment that features songs played in their entirety. As a musical flick that deals with Iraq, "Déjà Vu" works well along side "I Know I'm Not Alone" and "Heavy Metal in Baghdad." Combining great music with leftist politics, "CSNY / Déjà Vu" is an entertaining, thought proving and powerful film.

BUZZFLASH REVIEWS