A Mighty Wind

Year: 2003

Grade: C+

Country: USA

Director: Guest

Review

christopher guest seems content in doing the same thing over and over again and that’s okay by most. what’s the purpose of this movie? does it exist to make you laugh or think about folk music or touch your heart, or something else? it made me laugh a few times and on the whole it’s funny, but there were so many opportunities for more laughter that i have to assume that either it’s not intended to be a laugh riot or guest is just getting really old. he’s at his best when he goes completely over the top and there were a few bits in this movie that did that e.g., the color cult couple bit was very funny and had more life in it, but guest didn’t explore all its potential. if this was supposed to be an homage to folk music then i think it did a rather poor job…o brother, where art thou? did a far better job of reviving and lauding folk music. the folk music artists/audience in the film seemed to be dealt with in the same mocking manner that the color cult couple were. i can’t honestly say that i’ve ever been really impressed by guest’s work. sure i like best in show and waiting for guffman, but they weren’t laugh riots. mostly they were funny, but didn’t make me laugh. guest seems to have a lot of good ideas, but just can’t take them that extra step for me so this one gets a .