Shine a Light (2008) is a film of a rock and roll concert. As with any concert, if you like the musical group, you’ll probably like the film. If you’re a wild fan of the group, you’ll probably love the film. If you’re not a big fan, what is there for you? Almost nothing. There might have been social commentary or philosophical insight or character portraits or . . . but Shine a Light is a straight up concert film.
The highlight of the concert is singer Mick Jagger’s energy—it is as if, at 63 years of age, he has the physical and artistic energy to will a successful concert. The other highlight is the privileged position we get. Eighteen cameras and excellent editing put us in the middle of the action in ways we couldn’t if we were in the audience.