Don’t Think (Adam Smith, 2011): USA

Reviewed by Luke Catena, Century Stadium 16 Ventura, CA

Many of the films shown at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival were beautifully crafted and overall outstanding. One film I saw that week, however, was not showcased on State Street in Downtown Santa Barbara. And it was quite possibly my favorite film of the week.

Don’t Think is a concert movie of electronic music legends, The Chemical Brothers, headlining set at Fuji Rock Festival in Japan last summer. Though many people might not be familiar with the DJing duo, which consists of Ed Simon and Tom Rowland, their work is known widespread by movie and music fans alike. Casual fans might recall one of their songs from the club scene in Black Swan, when Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis indulge in some party favors. The Chemical Brothers also composed the score for Joe Wright’s 2011 film, Hanna, starring Eric Bana and Saoirse Ronan, for which they won a LAFCA Award for Best Music. With a career dating back nearly 20 years and eight studio albums, The Chemical Brothers are one of the best live acts around. And Director Adam Smith throws his audience head first into the action.

Normally, I would never be twenty minutes late for a movie. However, I did not find out about this one-night only screening thirty minutes away until 6:45 PM. The movie started at 7:30PM. After buying tickets online, my two friends and I rushed down the 101 South, to Ventura.

With the show already in progress, the three of us ran to the theater and opened the doors to a long, dark, bass-filled tunnel. Part jog, part jig, our heads scraping the ceiling, we bust out of the hallway into a half full auditorium. As we turned to the screen we realized we have just stumbled upon a live DJ set in the middle of a Japanese forest.

I gather myself, find an open seat and feast my eyes upon the worlds most beautiful form of brainwash. Though I hesitate to use the word “brainwash”, because it has such a bad connotation, I cannot describe it any other way. Ed Simon and Tom Rowland are doing just that, controlling their audience. By using mesmerizing melodies, body-trembling bass, and carefully constructed claps, these two men– looking more mad scientist than musical icons, have the crowd transfixed.

Adam Smith makes use of 21 strategically placed cameras throughout the festival, including high above the stage and scattered around the crowd of nearly 50,000. The cameras in the crowd are what set this concert movie apart from its counterparts. It gave the viewer an up-close and personal perspective of the emotions racing through the crowd. As the beat built, higher and higher, faster and faster, the tension grew with the camera focused on the stage. Then the payoff. The instant the beat dropped they would cut to a close up of one fan having the time of their life. Sitting in a theater, 8,000 miles away and over six months later, I had to laugh and smile with pleasure.

Having seen The Chemical Brothers at Coachella this past year, I was well aware of the incredible atmosphere the two men create in the crowd. In addition to their music, an enormous video screen stretched end to end of the stage and added beautiful visuals to a wonderful soundtrack. Harmonious paint splatters and dancing lights flowed perfectly with the music, while thirty foot tall, uni-colored bodies swam around stage.

The best part about this film is you do not have to be on the same level as Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis (and probably majority of the Japan crowd) to enjoy. It is astounding to be able to sit back and see two musical masterminds at work, as well as enjoy some great music with friends. I highly recommend this movie for music fans or anyone interested in what electronic music is all about. But you’ll have to wait until March for the DVD release.