Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love

The home video footage of the young couple on Hydra, and of Cohen elsewhere, is fascinating to watch.

This film is different precisely because Broomfield was a long-time friend of Marianne. His heart is invested, which gives the film a welcome intimacy and warmth.

Let's just call it "Leonard & Marianne," because it's just mostly about him.

Never do we learn how it felt to be the woman to whom [Leonard] Cohen would say "so long" every night on stage.

[A]n enlightening documentary about the creative process and the nature of the artistic spirit.

The film gives an intriguing glimpse of a bohemian creative community on the Greek island of Hydra and an affecting double portrait of two linked lives.

A sensitive and intimate portrayal of their time together, a love story that only spanned a handful of years but resonated for decades.

A deeply moving account of a love story for the ages.

If you are happy to embrace the myth, then you may find yourself quite moved by this film. But, if you were hoping for something a bit more clear-eyed and truthful, you may be as underwhelmed as I was.

Perhaps more interesting is the inevitable portrait of the musician. [Full Review in Spanish]