Critic's Pick — Music City Mondays: The Last Waltz

One of my dad’s favorite movies has always been The Last Waltz, which he showed to me before I even knew who half of the musicians in the film were. Despite not knowing who The Band was or being aware of their musical significance, I was entranced by their farewell performance. The whole concert felt like a celebration of not just their history, but the musical landscape at the time. It’s a who’s-who of legends like Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Muddy Waters and more, and they all deliver stunning performances. It’s like you got invited to the best throwback party ever, and it’s all captured by the discerning eye of Martin Scorsese. You can trace any concert documentary that follows The Last Waltz right back here, especially since Scorsese often interjects behind-the-scenes moments of The Band preparing for their last hurrah. They talk tales of the road, often joking around like old friends do. What really brings the whole film together for me is the last little vignette at the very end. The Band plays a jaunty goodbye tune on a basic little stage as the camera cranes out to reveal an empty auditorium. After playing to a sold-out, uproarious crowd, it’s a quiet and tender way to end an otherwise bombastic film and career. 

3:15 & 8 p.m. at the Belcourt

2102 Belcourt Ave.