Passing Strange

It has been around 4-5 years since I saw this film, so that can tell you that it left a strong impression, but also that I will not be able to give my full, considered opinion. However, it is a fun and passionate musical, and capturing the stage performance in a simple, no-frills way makes it one of Spike Lee's greatest films. The music is great, the lyrics are touching. I particularly remember the stories of growing up in a church community, and the trip to Europe (Amsterdam) with the song "She Gave Me Her Key". This film deserves a wider audience. Parental concerns: there are brief discussions of homosexuality and sex (nothing explicit--it's a stage show), the use of marijuana and teenage drinking is a major subplot.

This filming of a Broadway play both shows how good live theater is and how effectively a filmmaker can capture that very experience. It probably would have been better to see this funny, insightful rock opera live, but the movie beautifully captures the experience.

The play follows a young musician as he goes to Europe and falls in with other artists. It's very much the life I would have liked, but alas, I never was embraced by a group of crazy artists. So I must admit to envy for this semi-autobiographical guy's life.

The cast is absolutely terrific, headed by co-creator Stew. The performer I found the weakest was the young lead, who was terrific performing songs but who came across as rather bland as a character.

The set is very minimalist, being mainly chairs, yet it's beautifully staged. This never really sounded that interesting to me based on the description I'd read, and I only watched this because my girlfriend wanted to. I wish I'd watched it much earlier!

I'm forever grateful to Spike Lee for committing this show to film, and somehow conveying so much live energy and excitement with it. I agree with the other reviewer, that this is one of Mr. Lee's best films, even though it's a very different animal from his others (and, in a way, less his than the others, which makes me even more grateful to him, that he took the time and trouble to put this show on film so well).

The entire cast is no less than BRILLIANT, playing so many incredibly diverse characters totally convincingly. Daniel Breaker plays only the role of the young Stew, and is magnificent! (If there's any justice, he will be a big star, on stage and screen). I really hope that Stew and Heidi Rodewald write more shows together, which reminds me to mention how fabulous those two and the rest of the band are in this. The other cast members are: Eisa Davis (the other cast member playing only one role, Stew's mother); De'Adre Aziza; Colman Domingo; Chad Goodridge; Rebecca Naomi Jones; and, of course, Stew, as himself and narrator and band member/leader. Amazing what such a small group of performers can conjure up! If only all good stage shows could get screen transfers this dynamic and well done, capturing their particular atmospheres as this one does.

I cannot fathom why this brilliant filmed live musical performance does not have more stars on IMDb. Rotten Tomatoes has at 100% on the Tomato Meter, which is just right. It is stunning in every way: The music is rocking, soulful, hook-laden and beautifully crafted; Stew's coming-of-age story is moving, funny, sexy, heartbreaking, and uplifting; and the performances are incredible all around. I bought the DVD recently so I could watch it over again. This is one of my favorite musicals EVER. It is unforgettable: the songs and characters will stay with you, and the whole closing performance is brilliantly captured on film by Spike Lee. DO NOT MISS!