Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song

It's a documentary on the creative life of Leonard Cohen with particular emphasis on his signature song, "Hallelujah."

The film takes a mostly chronological approach beginning with Cohen's early musical career and follows through to his death. Many people who worked with Cohen, including various producers, are interviewed about Cohen. Some interviews with Cohen, especially by Larry Sloman, and with clips of Cohen in performance are included. A block in the third quarter of the film deals with the many performers who covered "Hallelujah."

This was a nagging disappointment, especially since I've like Leonard Cohen for a long time and included one of his songs in our 1969 wedding. This is really two incomplete documentaries mashed into one. The one that would have interested me the most would have been the spiritual journey of Leonard Cohen. The first half is mostly that, but then it obsesses over "Hallelujah" to the extent of including American Idol performers. The other documentary could have been on "Hallelujah" the song, which wouldn't have needed all of Cohen's background and could have better explored the sacred/secular/sexual aspects of that song.

Still, if you like Leonard Cohen and his music, you will gain some insight in seeing this film. I did, but wished it could have been so much better.