2003
Directed by
Christopher Guest
Written by
Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy
Cast
Harry Shearer .... Mark Shubb
Michael McKean .... Jerry Palter
Christopher Guest .... Alan Barrows
Eugene Levy .... Mitch Cohen
Catherine O'Hara .... Mickey Crabbe
Bob Balaban .... Jonathan Steinbloom
Parker Posey .... Sissy Knox
Jane Lynch .... Laurie Bohner
John Michael Higgins .... Terry Bohner
Fred Willard .... Mike LaFontaine
Ed Begley Jr. .... Lars Olfen
Christopher Guest and company have been making humorous mockumentaries for 20 years, starting with the 1984 rock ‘n’ roll satire This is Spinal Tap directed by Rob Reiner. That film, following a British band Spinal Tap during their tour of the U.S., quickly became a cult phenomenon. Despite the success it wasn’t until 1996’s Waiting for Guffman that the comedy group returned to their mockumentary roots. Receiving praise from both critics and fans of the genre Guest, along with his team of talented comedians, followed up Waiting for Guffman with Best in Show, a film about dog show enthusiasts and, finally, this film, A Mighty Wind, which after its release has garnered the group a multitude of awards including an Academy Award nomination for best music, original song.
In A Mighty Wind director Christopher Guest reunites with the team from Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman to tell the story (co-written by Eugene Levy) of 60s era folk musicians who, inspired by the death of their former manager, get back on stage for one concert in New York’s Town Hall.
Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara are Mitch and Micky, once the sweethearts of folk music until their bitter separation; Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer are classic folk trio The Folksmen; and Parker Posey, John Michael Higgins and Jane Lynch anchor a colour-coordinated, harmonising "neuftet", The New Main Street Singers. Joining the musicians are talented comedians Bob Balaban, Ed Begley Jr., Jennifer Coolidge and Fred Willard, among others, who all work to revive folk music in this unique comedy.
If you’re a fan of Guest then you are no doubt aware of his unique comedic sensibilities, combining satire with a goofy oddball make-fun approach to the topics he chooses to feature, and A Mighty Wind is no different in style than the group’s previous efforts. During the course of the film we get to meet weird and wonderful characters that populate the folk music industry and at the same time we see Guest and the comedians poke fun at the genre.
A Mighty Wind is full of wonderfully snappy performances from the ensemble, and after several films together their chemistry and comic timing has been perfected to a tee. Additionally the film includes a series of entertaining songs that feature often hilarious lyrics and are so catchy you’ll find yourself singing them after you’ve watched the film.
Some people may not find this brand of humour funny, in fact these films require somewhat of an acquired comedic taste. If you’ve already seen and loved This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show then you’ll certainly appreciate this latest offering. If you’ve never delved into mockumentary films, or for that matter off-beat subtle humour (ala the BBC’s The Office) then perhaps a rental first, just to get your feet wet.
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