In a Silent Way

This is not your typical music documentary. Neither should it be. Talk Talk are not your typical band. Especially given that this film covers the band's last two albums more so than the early ones.

Initially you wonder how on earth there's going to be proper content without permission to use the music, or without many of the key players. It's evident that some of the filming at least, took place before Mark Hollis' death as he's referred to in the present tense. Even though the documentary is listed as being made in 2020. If it had been made afterwards, some of those key people may have had a different approach. It's a shame. (Excuse the pun). We'll never know.

However, there is some archival material of Mark Hollis talking and the band which makes up for that. And the new interviews all tell similar stories so a picture of the recording process and how Hollis operated is presented. I enjoyed listening to the guys. They know their stuff. It was fascinating.

I was never a huge fan of those later albums, though I Believe in You is my favourite Talk Talk song. They sounded more like jams to my young ears, so to learn what actually went on during recording was really fascinating. I still don't think it's the masterpiece some claim but I do see it as an incredibly creative work, which did influence other acts down the years.

What's really interesting of course, is the very artistic approach to the documentary itself. It's lovingly made with the spirit of the album (excuse the pun), Spirt of Eden, even though some of that album and its follow-up are quite dense and loud.

Irrespective, this is a work of art in its own right. Quite enjoyable just as a film, not merely as a music documentary.

I still learnt a lot. Enough to satisfy any Talk Talk fan or those who are interested in the creative process and appreciate quality filmmaking.