Big Time

Big Time (1988) is a powerful and compelling concert film frontlined by the enigmatic and rakish musical marvel, Tom Waits. Waits, a renowned musician, songwriter, and actor, is one of the most distinctive voices in American music, making this movie a richly rewarding and sensory experience that pulls viewers into his uniquely artistic universe.

Set between the gritty backdrops and spotlit stages, Big Time is an unforgettable blend of concert footage, quasi-narrative scenes, and visual extra-ordinarios intricately crafted to bring to life the intense, carnal, and passionate music of Tom Waits. At heart, it’s a tour film, woven through with surreal interludes that collectively serve as a vibrant run-through of Waits's eclectic oeuvre. The scenes are shot in San Francisco and Akron, Ohio, adding another layer of enigmatic air to the movie.

Directed by acclaimed director Chris Blum and featuring a substantial ensemble of musician-actors, including Michael L. Blair and Ralph Carney, Big Time paints vivid portraits of song performances while simultaneously blurring the line between staged theatricality and raw, impromptu liveliness. The film is a kaleidoscopic, non-linear journey through his songs that defies traditional structures, suggesting he is not just a performer but also an existential explorer navigating a world of his own creation.

Waits is the centerpiece of the movie, and his performance is deeply mesmerizing. The film showcases his ability to transform his bluesy, experimental tunes into passionate onstage soliloquies. Viewers see him sing, play, dance, and dramatize his way through each song with a wild, captivating energy that showcases his range as a performer.

The movie swings between the gritty and beautiful, from raucous interpretations of Waits's guttural, gravelly voiced songs to quieter, poignant deliveries of his more melodic, atmospheric pieces. Each song emerges as a sequence, a mini narrative unto itself. The film treats each song as a production, with elaborate set-ups, backdrops, and synchronized actions, emphasizing Waits's theatrical instincts.

For instance, through Blair and Carney's performances, Blum amplifies the theatricality of the musical pieces. The musicians don't only accompany Waits but often engage with him, adding another layer of performance to the scenes. Their collaboration with Waits creates a unique synergy, adding dynamic layers to the sound.

Moreover, Big Time touches upon the deeper meanings behind his music, which often vocalize human struggles, desires, and surreal dreamlike experiences. These themes resonate strongly throughout the film's episodic structure, giving audiences a deeper insight into the inimitable mind of Tom Waits, his unique perspective, and multi-faceted artistry.

The cinematography plays a significant role in accentuating the mood of the film. Under Jesse Dylan and Daniel A. Pearl's able hands, the camera captures the raw energy and moody breadth of Waits's performances. The lighting and color choices also contribute to the atmosphere, depicting the nuances of the performances through a grainy, nostalgic lens that adds to the overall aesthetic of the film.

Blum's direction delights in its experimental approach, bringing an operatic grandeur to the songs yet consistently maintaining an intimate connection to its performer. Blum shies away from nothing – showing the sweat, the spasms, and the lunacy that often characterizes Waits's abstract, burlesque style performances. In doing so, he helps turn Big Time into more than just a concert film; it's a cinematic meditation on music, emotions, and human experiences.

Big Time is an excellent choice for those who appreciate thought-provoking, non-conventional musical films. It offers a dazzling, immersive experience with a magnetic performer at its heart. The film moves beyond the boundaries of typical biographical documentaries or concert films, offering instead a blend of music, narrative, and surrealism. Whether you're a steadfast fan of Tom Waits or a newcomer to his music, Big Time serves as an enlightening entry point into his rich, remarkable world. It’s a ride well worth taking.