It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The acting in this movie is really good.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The music of Van Morrison and Neil Young helped me through some complicated and conflicted feelings around the time this film first came out but I didn't know about it then. I just recently came across it and picked it up for the same kind of vibe I got from listening to the 'Harvest Moon' album over and over again through the years. Apparently Jonathan Demme's treatment and Young's performance is intended to evoke a wistful and melancholy look back over his life and career, and at times it becomes almost maudlin. I couldn't really relate to the Prairie Wind songs, and the line 'If you follow every dream you might get lost' managed to bother me a lot. It didn't give me a very inspirational feeling about looking ahead for better things to come. The mood got better in the second half of the film when more familiar songs kicked in, and my favorite turned out to be "One of These Days", a wistful song itself but one that holds out some hope of connecting one more time with past lives and loves. The only upbeat tune throughout the performance was 'Old King', though you have to overlook the fact that Young admits kicking the poor old mutt once and now he's dead. The aftermath of this concert offering turns out to be a positive one. Young survived the brain surgery that was alluded to a couple times during the filming and one looks forward to additional productive years from this legendary musical performer. He's one of the few artists I'd work my schedule around just to see him do what he does best.

Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006) **** (out of 4) Over the past couple months I've been getting into Neil Young's solo work a lot more. A couple years ago I was able to see CSN&Y in concert and Young's performance really stuck out to me so I wasn't to view a documentary and picked this one since the reviews had been great for it. This film was shot at Nashville's famous Ryman Auditorium and from what I've read the concert took place a couple days before Young was having brain surgery and several fans seem to think this was a goodbye concert in case he didn't make it. The first nine songs are all from Young's 'Prairie Wind' album, which I've never listened to so hearing them in this concert was my first time. I really thought the songs were very good, although they were certainly depressing and you can see some pain in Young's eyes as he is singing them. The second part of the film is when we get some of the classic songs including 'Old Man', 'I Am a Child', 'Heart of Gold' and a downright terrific 'Harvest Moon'. There's some brief interview footage at the start of the film but the rest of the movie is Young doing his thing and he delivers a terrific show. There are countless times where Young stops and tells some stories, which are all very funny including one dealing with his daughter. Demme does a brilliant job at not trying to make the film too flashy. He takes the music and moves the camera to capture that mood. Emmylou Harris is also on hand playing guitar and background vocals.

I really enjoyed this film. A must for all Neil Young fans.It is a concert film rather than a documentary so don't expect a "No DirectionHome" type of film. There are a few interviews from artists in the concert about how they met Young etc and a very brief comment at the start from the man himself.The first half of the concert footage featured songs from the Prairie Winds album. I hadn't heard any of this material before but thought it was excellent. Young says a few words before some of the songs and a lot of them seem to relate to memories of his childhood.Perhaps they were inspired on by his illness(he's now recovered), which is alluded to briefly.The second part of the film (filmed on a different night I believe) features many of the classics from Young's long career.I heard someone coming out of the cinema saying they could have watched that film all night and can only agree.

There are music videos, there are concert videos – and then there is Neil Young's "Heart of Gold".I have just finished watching this proverbial masterpiece in it's entirety, and I must say that I am left absolutely awestruck! It's been a very long time since I've seen a concert that was so "polished" and utilized a cast of the most talented and "seasoned" musicians, who all seem to work together in perfect synch, to put something like this together that will, I predict, garner more than a few accolades and awards for their efforts! If you've been a Neil Young fan (as I have) for a lot of years, this concert DVD is a MUST for your collection! I guarantee that it will bring back memories and evoke emotions that you may have thought were long lost or forgotten.I can't even attempt to score this one – so I won't. Suffice it to say, it's WAY off the charts! Check it out. You won't be disappointed!