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Shine a Light

How do the Rolling Stones keep going? They love it, that's how

By Matt Pais

Metromix
April 3, 2008

Critic's Rating:

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Director Martin Scorsese captures the world's most indestructible band, the Rolling Stones, during the group's performance at New York's Beacon Theatre in late 2006. Edited throughout the concert--which features guest spots by Jack White, Christina Aguilera and Buddy Guy--are clips from the band's past, in which young Mick, Keith, Charlie and Ronnie blithely comment on their potential for career longevity and why they do what they do.

Big question: Can "Shine a Light" stand in for the concert-going experience as well as the entertaining "U2 3D"?

Catch it: While "U2 3D" sometimes suggested that the band might be better appreciated at a distance as the songs fill the arena, "Shine a Light" proves that the Stones, who have always swaggered more than rocked, demand to be seen up close--so the R&B flavor isn't swallowed by a massive venue and so you can see the smiles on the faces of guys playing songs for the 10,000th time. Between footage of the Stones as sarcastic kids and veteran, onstage dynamos who look like they could do this forever, the movie documents men in their mid-60s whose everlasting youth is only part of the reason new fans continue to flock their way.

Skip it: If you’re grown tired of Johnny Depp’s Keith Richards-inspired shenanigans in the “Pirates” movies. Still, it’s a treat to observe Richards for even a few seconds and see just how well Depp nails the impression.

Bottom line: "Shine a Light" is not, and it's not trying to be, a definitive portrait of the Stones' lives and legacies. (That would take a bit longer than two hours anyway and leave no time for Jagger to flail his arms and stomp around all over the place.) It is, however, an electrifying experience for Rolling Stones fans or anyone who just wants to know how to stay young.

Bonus: I’m not 100 percent positive, but it sure looks like guitarist Ronnie Wood mouths “I forgot the chords” during “Brown Sugar.” Stick with it, young man, you’ll get the hang of this musician thing in time.

What do you think of 'Shine a Light'? Email me: mpais@tribune.com