MOVIES AT LA PLAZA: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT-- The thoroughness of simplicity

Movie Review by Sergio Martinez

It's not easy to break away from the most common approach when making a film documenting one or more popular music concerts: the focus is primarily on the performers themselves, with little attention paid to the incidental elements that precede or accompany the performances. While the documentary's protagonist is Billie Eilish, this film departs from that traditional view to offer a broad perspective on both the artist and the atmosphere of the concert. Thus, while the performance itself stands out for its simplicity, expressed in both the artist's attire and the accompanying staging, the film, directed by veteran Canadian filmmaker James Cameron and the singer herself, details, in a highly original way, the preparation of the stage and the artist.

The camera work and the original framing of the scenes are particularly noteworthy, with some filmed from the audience's point of view. At times, a spectator's head passes in front of the camera, highlighting one of the aspects the artist has emphasized in her performances: her commitment to and connection with her audience. The film reflects this aspect very well in numerous scenes, in which, especially the artist's fans, express their feelings and what her music means to them.

Shot during Billie Eilish's concert in Manchester, as part of her tour, the film also presents the artist in various moments before the show, where she addresses different aspects of her career. Some of the points she emphasizes are her relationship with her audience, the type of songs she has created, and—a particularly interesting aspect—her stage presence. Unlike other singers who wear outfits that highlight their physical beauty with heavy body exposure, Billie appears dressed in an outfit that is too big for her. She doesn't believe it's necessary for an artist to show too much skin to succeed. A certainly interesting message from a young woman (currently 24) who is also quite beautiful. Regarding her stage movements, although she also has dance training, the singer doesn't make a big show of that skill and, at times, sings at the edge of the stage, very close to the audience, or, on other occasions, even lying down on a platform. What she does do—with a great display of energy—is run quite a bit during the performance, a stage which was extensive enough to offer a good view from different points in the auditorium.

The music the singer creates and performs is primarily soft rock, though she also explores harder themes. During the concert, one of the highlights was her performance with her brother Finneas. Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live on 3D) is a film we certainly recommend, not only for her fans or rock lovers, but also for its excellent cinematography, innovative framing, and original scenes with Billie offstage. Incidentally, it should be noted that Billie is not only a unique performer but also a woman of great talent, as evidenced by her first major hit at 18 (Ocean Eyes). To date, along with her brother Finneas, she has won nine Grammy Awards and two Oscars for music for the films No Time to Die (2021) and Barbie (2024). As a young artist, she has also not shied away from political themes; During the 2024 presidential campaign, she became involved in promoting youth participation, a demographic often perceived as politically indifferent. Shortly after the election, she didn't hesitate to express her disappointment with the result on stage after a concert: "Someone who hates women so deeply is about to become president of the United States of America."

Running time: 154 min.