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5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful:-
A Christopher Guest comedy that goes for something deeper., 10 January 2004
Author:
fcouckey from United States
SPOILERS LIE AHEAD
A Mighty Wind is a film that I loved, and it disappoints me that there
were so many critics and filmgoers who were disappointed with it. It
seems that quite a few people think that comedies, especially the ones
of the mockumentary sort (as this one is), can't go farther then simple
mocking. It puzzles me that so many were in agreement that a film about
a bittersweet reunion can't be good comedy. I think some moviegoers
need quit worrying about smuggling that bag of Milk Duds into the
theater and remember to bring an open mind. There may be funnier, more
farcical situations (which have been the basis of many, many lesser
films), but a bittersweet reunion can inspire comedic moments as well
as be the basis for a great film, which A Mighty Wind is.
Christopher Guest, who has championed the film making style that is
mockumentary with his role in the classic This Is Spinal Tap, and by
directing the hilarious Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show, directs
as well as co-writes the story with Eugene Levy (the actual lines are
all improvised by the actors).
The film plays as a documentary about the organization of a memorial
concert featuring folk groups from the 60's who were managed by the
late Irving Steinbloom. The groups featured in the concert are the
cheesy "neuftet" The New Main Street Singers, the classic folk trio The
Folksmen, and the former sweethearts of the folk music world Mitch and
Mickey.
The best performance in the film is that of Catherine O'Hara as Mickey
Crabbe. She boldly doesn't go for all the laughs, and creates a
complete, full, interesting character. Note the interview scenes where
she reminisces about her past as one half of the folk "phenomenon" that
was Mitch and Mickey. When she talks about their relationship you can
see and hear that this is a woman who loved Mitch and Mickey, but not
Mitch. Levy is also superb as Mitch Cohen, clearly still in love with
Mickey but also clearly insane. He creates an almost over the top
comedic performance that makes great use of his infamous eyebrows. He
is in a constant state of uncomfortable quirkiness, except when he is
singing with Mickey, and he remembers what their relationship used to
be, and how it felt to be loved. Note the scene where the two practice
one of their hits, "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow," and don't know
what to do when its time for them to lovingly kiss each other, which
was their claim to fame when they were making TV appearances back in
the 60's. Without saying a word, they agree that it would be
inappropriate and continue to the end of the song. O'Hara's reaction to
that moment is perfect. Then note the scene when they perform the song
at the concert and, each for different reasons, they decide to do the
kiss. When I first saw that moment and the characters' reaction to it,
I got goosebumps. I realized that for the first time in any of Guest's
mockumentaries, I actually cared for the characters, and I loved it.
It's great that instead of going down that road taken by so many other
films, where the former lovers find that they have loved each-other all
along and have sex to affirm this to the audience, A Mighty Wind gives
something far more interesting.
Although the Mitch & Mickey relationship is the heart of the film, it
should not be forgotten that this an ensemble movie. There are terrific
comedic performances all around, including those of Harry Shearer,
Michael McKean, and Guest as the members of The Folksmen, John Michael
Higgins and Jane Lynch as the color worshiping Terry and Laurie Bohner,
Jennifer Coolidge as the can't-quite-place-her-accent Amber Cole, Fred
Willard as the outrageously sad Mike LaFontaine and Ed Begley Jr. the
yiddish talking Swede Lars Olfen.
It may not have gotten as many laughs as This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting
for Guffman, or Best in Show, but A Mighty Wind bravely goes where
those films didn't. It achieves touching, real emotion. It is one of
the best films of 2003.
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