‘Bono: Stories of Surrender’ Review: Andrew Dominik’s Apple TV+ Doc Aims Loving Spotlight on the Music and the Man

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Anyone attending a U2 performance can attest that it’s not just a concert – it’s a grand theatrical spectacle. The shows are meticulously planned to create an intense emotional impact through striking visuals and elaborate stage designs.

Since Bono, the lead vocalist of U2, decided to pen his memoir titled “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story“, it was only fitting that he wouldn’t settle for a routine book tour. Instead of mundane readings and signings, he opted for an extraordinary global tour of theatrical stages. There, he captivated audiences with dramatic readings from his book, and as an added treat, U2 songs skillfully reinterpreted by Jacknife Lee were performed by cellist Kate Ellis and harpist Gemma Doherty.

In the spirit of this dynamic era, it was clear what came next – a movie capturing Bono’s 2023 multi-day residency at New York City’s renowned Beacon Theatre (the same location Martin Scorsese filmed the 2008 Rolling Stones concert film, “Shine a Light”). However, staying true to its nature, what unfolds at Cannes Film Festival before streaming on Apple TV+ later this month is not just a straightforward stage performance recording. Directed by Andrew Dominik (known for “Blonde”, “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”, and “This Much I Know to Be True”) and masterfully shot in monochrome by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt (“Mank”), “Bono: Stories of Surrender” is undeniably a film.

Here, Bono demonstrates that he’s not just a musician but also an actor, delivering his monologue with a theatrical style, expressive gestures, and musical inflections reminiscent of T.S. Eliot’s poetry recitations. His writing showcases a dramatic touch and a knack for humor that is undeniably Irish. Addressing the packed audience, he introduces his stories as “tall tales from a short rock star.

He remarks with gratitude, ‘I’m still playing along like it’s a book tour,’ referring to the unusual aspect of this event, as typically, author-led tours don’t involve acting out dialogues, but in this case, he’s engaging in fictional conversations with his father, bandmates, and even Luciano Pavarotti, all symbolized by empty chairs.

In my youth, I faced heart-wrenching hardships that left indelible scars – the loss of my mother when I was just fourteen. She succumbed to an unexpected ruptured cerebral aneurysm, mere hours after collapsing at her own father’s funeral. From then on, my father remained silent about her, carrying his grief in silence.

Bono’s intricate bond with his father is central to the article, exploring it tenderly while also chronicling his long-standing marriage to Alison, who he first encountered as teenagers. He openly discusses the inception of U2 alongside his high school companions, a partnership that has endured for almost half a century.

Despite being commonly viewed as its leader, this band insists that it operates as a democracy, where every member carries equal weight in making decisions. The group came close to disbanding after their debut album’s release, largely because of the religious beliefs held by both the frontman and The Edge, which clashed with the lifestyle typically associated with successful rock bands.

The play, penned by author and ex-music executive Bill Flanagan, doesn’t shy away from humorous anecdotes. For instance, Bono recalls the unexpected visit of Pavarotti accompanied by a group of journalists, attempting to persuade him and his bandmates to collaborate with him for a charity concert sponsored by War Child. Another light-hearted tale centers around his father, who was not fond of the royal family, becoming quite smitten upon meeting Princess Diana in person.

The brief melodious segments (such as enchanting renditions of “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” “Where the Streets Have No Name,” “Vertigo,” “Desire” and “Beautiful Day,” to name a few) offer a refreshing change from the film’s expected dialogue-heavy scenes. Similarly, the dynamic camera work and editing contribute an engaging visual appeal to the overall presentation.

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2025-05-17 00:54