the film is a gorgeous tone poem that both deepens and personalizes the audio recording, creating a satisfying emotional arc that isn't as apparent in the collection of 13 fully-orchestrated country-tinged songs released in June
much like the crowning jewels of the cinematic concert form, "Western Stars" is a celebration of music and its surrounding storytelling universe. As crafted by Thom Zimny and Bruce Springsteen, this visual album is expansive and engrossing
it is, clearly, a valentine for hardcore "Bruuuuuce" fans, but one that does an effective job of both showcasing the material and connecting the songs in a thematic way
Bruce Springsteen's directorial debut is an intimate and unexpected concert doc; "Western Stars" serves as both an intimate exploration of Springsteen's latest album of the same name and a deeper dive into his most pervasive compulsions
as a substitution for the tour that never was, this concert film within a documentary does a brilliant job of bringing "Western Stars" to life; Those scenes of Springsteen and his bandmates... have been beautifully filmed, and the sound is amazing
"Western Stars" is the cinematic embellishment of Bruce Springsteen's new album of the same name; It's lovely film to look at, Springsteen confronting his past and demons in the prettiest, gently tuneful barn-and-big-sky way imaginable
"Western Stars" is not only a concert film presenting 13 Springsteen bangers, plus one great cover. Showcasing his charisma, wit, thoughtfulness and vulnerability, it emerges as a telling portrait of one of music's modern greats
by Brad Wheeler [The Globe and Mail ]
