HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG—The mystic and the worldly

Movie Review by Sergio Martinez

Leonard Cohen has been the subject of TV documentaries, feature movies and now this new documentary directed by Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine. (Two feature movies directed by Matthew Bissonette and inspired by Cohen were rather forgettable: Looking for Leonard in 2002 and Death of a Ladies' Man, made in 2021. Cohen's great creative talent doesn't necessarily guarantee that those who try to use the singer-songwriter's genius as the source for their own work will succeed.)

In this case, however, the directors have reached their goal: "This project began as a very specific exploration of Hallelujah and its international impact — whether to entertain (like the audiences who flocked to Shrek), commemorate life's important moments at weddings and funerals or to serve as a communal healing, like the song's use during the Covid-19 memorial service on the eve of the January 2021 Presidential inauguration" said the directors in their statement about the movie.

The documentary manages to give us a thorough review of what the song meant for Cohen and those who have done covers of the iconic theme. It has also managed to deal with the different lyrics of the song, from the biblical to the secular. Interestingly enough, Cohen was comfortable with both approaches.

The film contains interviews with various people who have connected with Cohen's work, especially with the creation of his emblematic song. Among the interviewees were music journalist Larry "Ratso” Sloman, who interviewed Cohen on many occasions; Adrienne Clarkson, a former CBC journalist and Canada Governor-General; Judy Collins, who, in 1967, during a benefit concert in New York, put Cohen on stage for the first time; Clive Davis, a Columbia Records executive when Cohen was signed for that company in 1967; John Lissauer, a musician, composer, and producer, who happened to produce the first version of Hallelujah as part of the album Various Positions; Nancy Bacal, a writer, journalist and editor of Cohen's 1994 anthology Stranger Music: Selected Poems and Songs; Rabbi Mordecai Finlay, leader of the synagogue that Cohen attended in Los Angeles; and French photographer Dominique Issermann, with whom Cohen had a long relationship.

Besides the strictly musical aspect of the film, including precious archival footage, there are many references to Cohen's life, from his upbringing in Westmount to his many trips to the United States and Europe, and, of course, some insight into his many romantic encounters. The sad situation he faced when his account manager stole all his money, forcing him to start a new international tour, is also mentioned in the film. Cohen's stay in a Buddhist monastery for many years is also covered as well as his plea for peace between Israelis and Palestinians during a concert in Israel.

Hallelujah is a documentary that delivers interesting details on the creation of what is probably Cohen's most representative work and, at the same time, provides insight into his quest for the sacred and the secular, the mystic and the worldly.

Duration: 118 Min.