-𝔘𝔭𝔬𝔫 𝔴𝔞𝔱𝔠𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔡𝔬𝔠𝔲𝔪𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰 𝔬𝔫 𝔏𝔢𝔬𝔫𝔞𝔯𝔡 ℭ𝔬𝔥𝔢𝔫-
Both movies portray the, what seems to be, idyllic life of Leonard Cohen, full of passion, both on the professional and relationship sides. However, one depicts Cohen as a free, almost libertine, but successful man, while the other doesn’t hide what lay behind Cohen and her muse’s life. Donald Brittain and Don Owen’s informal documentary followed Leonard through his idle everyday life. We see him reading his work to various captivated audiences, spending time with peers, working on his poetry, during his short stay in Montreal, while he resides in a cheap hotel. Leonard thus appears to be a simplistic man, enjoying life, cultivating his fondness for writing, getting playful with friends and women in particular… His enviable fulfilling life is actually intentionally disguised by an embellishing filter, attractive to Cohen fans and anyone looking for a glorified portrait of the artist. Whereas, in Nick Broomfield’s movie, we discover a completely different man. Yes, Cohen still navigates through life by letting his impulses lead the way. But he is revealed as being an idealistic man who’s disloyal to his partner. Marianne Ihlen, who we only hear of in the first documentary as being Cohen’s muse, whom he loves deeply, gets caught up in a dreamy yet destructive lifestyle for she is head over heels for the “allusive creature.” Both go through hardships and ordeals, yet, one person that is a direct victim of their irresponsible way of life is Marriane’s son, Axel Joachim (whom she had with her first lover). Indeed, he has to go with the flow and comply with their always moving and uncertain lifestyle. On top of not having gotten the opportunity to know his biological father, he went through the unpleasing experience of being sent to a boarding school, therefore getting abandoned by his overwhelmed mother.
Because the first documentary was filmed, released, and supervised (at least watched) by Leonard Cohen himself, it seemed logical to spotlight the star. On the opposite, because Cohen and Ihlen were both deceased, there seemed to be no reason to hide the demeaning truth.
You never truly know celebrities...
Lou-Ann Onillon (20241041)













