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A Mighty Wind

Synopsis

Three folk music groups come together to put on a tribute concert for the late record executive who launched their careers.

What I Thought

If you liked "Best In Show", you will love this movie. It is a mocumentary, i.e., a 'fake documentary'. However, you would (maybe) expect the mocking of folk music or the people. But like in "Best In Show", the writers show respect for both folk music and the musicians themselves. They are not "messed-up and comical folk musicians", they are messed up and comical people who happen to (in this case) be folk musicians.

Watch out for little details, like the full shot glass when one of the groups' managers is talking. The three groups themselves are pretty much a resurrection of the New Christy Minstrels (the New Main Street Singers), Peter, Paul, and Mary (the Folksmen), and Ian and Sylvia (Mitch and Mikey). Or plug any other group from the folk-music revival of the 60's.

I won't go into each character, but they are all so quirky and funny! The whole cast is superb (as they were in "Best In Show") and it's fun to try to match the character in this movie with "Best". I cracked a whole bunch of times just watching Eugene Levy alone (Jim's Dad from American Pie).

And oh my, is that an autoharp?!?!? I haven't seen one of those since 3rd grade music class!

Finally, I have to say something about the music (which was sung by the actors!). It was great! Reminded me of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" but with a more homey feel. There are some real gems on the soundtrack (Mitch & Mikey's "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" is the sweetest thing!), and yes, it's already on order for me on Amazon.

For those of you who have not seen "Best In Show", well, let's just say that I know some people who would be bored stiff in either movie. This movie won't appeal to all. No action sequences, no guns, no sex, no drugs. Well, except for the ones Mitch has been taking... this is a character-driven comedy. Very dry delivery, totally serious, and (so far) the funniest movie of the year. So be warned.

 

All photos and text copyright Ryszard Kilarski, unless otherwise noted. Clip art, drawings, paintings are either free domain or copyrighted by the artists.