Without second guitarist
David Knopfler,
Dire Straits began to move away from its roots rock origins into a jazzier variation of country-rock and singer/songwriter folk-rock. Naturally, this means that
Mark Knopfler's ambitions as a songwriter are growing, as the storytelling pretensions of
Making Movies indicate. Fortunately, his skills are increasing, as the lovely "Romeo and Juliet," "Tunnel of Love," and "Skateaway" indicate. And
Making Movies is helped by a new wave-tinged pop production, which actually helps
Knopfler's jazzy inclinations take hold. The record runs out of steam toward the end, closing with the borderline offensive "Les Boys," but the remainder of
Making Movies ranks among the band's finest work. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine