 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
A Mighty Wind
- Review Date: September 21, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2003
Common Sense Media says
Hilarious mockumentary of aging folk singers.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there is some mature material including references to substance abuse, homosexuality, pornography, and a sex-change operation. Characters use some strong language.
What's the story?
A MIGHTY WIND is a "mockumentary" about a very diverse but earnest and enthusiastic group of people who share a passion that involves performing in front of an audience. "PBN" (a stand-in for PBS) is going to broadcast a special concert in memory of Irving Steinbloom, a man who was instrumental in the careers of 60's folk musicians. The groups who will participate are a trio called The Folksmen (Spinal Tap alums Christoper Guest, who also co-wrote and directed, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer), a once-married duo called Mitch and Mickey (co-screenwriter Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara) and the relentlessly perky Main Street Singers -- now called the New Main Street Singers because only one of the original group is still participating. This return to the spotlight after so many years creates all kinds of traumas and challenges.
Is it any good?
Guest movies always get better on the second viewing, and this one may need three as its best moments are its subtlest, like the fabulously constructed songs that are just one tweak away from the music of the Hootnanny-era, where suburban kids sang folk songs written by slaves and hobos so they could feel more "authentic."
There are wonderfully choice moments. I loved the riffs by Fred Willard about his brief stint on a sit-com and Ed Begley, Jr.'s Yiddish-peppered discussion of putting the broadcast deal together. Steinbloom's son (Bob Balaban) is so obssessed with the details of the event that he literally can't see the forest for the trees -- he interrupts the live broadcast to warn the audience in the theater to be careful not to get scratched by the twigs in the floral arrangements. The reconstruction of the historical material is devilishly meticulous, well worth hitting the pause button when it comes to video and DVD.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the unusual way that Guest and Levy work. They set out the broad outlines of the story and then invite their actors to improvise their parts. How does that make the final version of the movie different from most? Families can also talk about the performers who inspired this movie, like the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul, and Mary, and Joan Baez. What was it that brought folk music to the forefront in the early 1960s?
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AGE
Great Guest Film
Not as great as spinal tap, but the best this particular group has done. As these guys go on, their films have more emotional weight, but still stay hilarious. Bob Balaban is great.
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AGE
Witty humor for many ages
If you liked the style of Spinal Tap or Best In Show, then you'll enjoy this movie just as much. The humor is intelligent and very well executed. It may be a little to old for the younger generation as it speaks to an audience that knows about the folk music scene in the 60's. But overall, it was extremely funny and the songs are quite catchy.
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AGE
Hilarious!
Really funny and clever...Good for kids 13+
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AGE
mocumentry of mocumentrys
i think that this is a good and cleverly shot movie shown as a mocumentry (mocking documentry) there is sexuality in 3 scenes but i think that its not a really big deal. good movie
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Christopher Guest |
| Cast: | Eugene Levy, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 92 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 16, 2003 |
| DVD release date: | September 23, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | sex-related humor |
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