HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG

At this point, I can assume that there are very few out there who haven’t heard some rendition of the song “Hallelujah”. It is one that has traversed musical genres, moving from film to television spots, covered by many artists, and performed by other potentials hoping to break through.

There’s a reason this song has stood the test of time and even grown in the spotlight, and that is because of the magical quality that proves to be universal much like the title itself.

Leonard Cohen wrote the original version which has since been altered and sculpted to resemble the artist performing. It’s a tune that warrants individual introspection, and each rendition has a piece of the performer ingrained.

“Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord”

Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine co-direct this intriguing portrait of the renowned singer/songwriter in a enthralling format. Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song digs into the unique artist’s background, bringing us his life in and out of music. As a concentration though, the center is a focal point that we return to above all else, his most famous song: “Hallelujah”.

The film goes from talking-head interviews with various people who worked with Cohen, as well as clips of interviews that he did. There is also some amazing performance footage of Cohen, on his final tour, as well as unseen notebooks and photographs. We are able to go to the beginning, and Hallelujah provides a rich background to a man whose fame remains legendary.

When you hear a Cohen song it is distinct. The poetic, spoken-word-like expressionism usually has simple musical accompaniments, but his deep recognizable voice is a searing ghost that resonates.

Throughout the entire film, there are frequent tie-ins to this song, dispersed in doses that ultimately build as the resurgence of the song does in our musical history. As time moves on, new listeners find “Hallelujah”. Our directors use this as a symbol for his career, and it allows the documentary to ride this wave of awareness of what is to come, with a deep appreciation for the roots that brought it to life.

While the idea to tell the story this way has its advantages, sometimes things get lost in the shuffle, and the song becomes more prominent than the artist. That’s not to say Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song doesn’t work. Anytime I felt it fledgling it reeled me back in, primarily because, well, that’s just the allure of Leonard Cohen. To speak to the perseverance of his music, the song “Hallelujah” is played excessively over the course of the film, even if just in brief spots, and by the closing credits, I still wanted to go and listen to it.

And I did.

“But you don’t really care for music, do you?”

So, let’s discuss the titular song. After being shucked by his label at the time, the song wasn’t recognized for its beauty. Now it’s everywhere. How did this happen? We go back to the start where we learn of the studio’s dislike for the tune at first, and then we are eventually brought to its hit number in Shrek, reintroducing this tune to a new audience.

The old becomes new, and that’s the spark.

Something I really loved about Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song was the story beyond that time when we get to see what Cohen did towards the end of his life. After facing adversity and stolen finances, he goes on to tour many cities culminating in one of the highest-grossing tours in history. It is both inspiring and comforting to behold as an artist who loves his work and to see the world embrace this. It seems fitting that we continue to sing this song, some with heartbreak, some with joy, but always with admiration for the emotion that comes through.

I think Cohen said it best, “You look around and you see a world that cannot be made sense of. You either raise your fist or you say hallelujah. I try to do both.”

Conclusion: Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song

There’s a lot to take away from Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song, including, most importantly, a better understanding of the remarkable creator of a song that lives on through generations. As a fan, I learned a lot that I didn’t know, but I think even those who aren’t as familiar but know of the song, will enjoy learning about its origins. If there’s one thing to take away from this compelling documentary it’s this: Music is eternal.

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song was released in theaters on July 1st. 

Have you seen Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song? How did you feel about this documentary? Let us know in the comments below!

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