A Mighty Wind

Paul Greenwood reviews

A Mighty Wind

• Cert:
• Running time: 91 minutes
• Year: 2003
• Released: 16th January 2004
• Widescreen Ratio: 1.85:1
• Rating: 7/10

Director:

Christopher Guest

(Waiting for Guffman, Best In Show)

Cast:

Mitch: Eugene Levy
Mickey: Catherine O’Hara
Alan: Christopher Guest
Jerry: Michael McKean
Mark: Harry Shearer
Jonathan Steinbloom: Bob Balaban
Mike LaFontaine: Fred Willard
Lars Olfen: Ed Begley Jnr.

I was slightly worried that after watching A Mighty Wind,folk music would be ruined for me in the same way thatThis Is Spinal Tapruined heavy metal. I simply can’t take Iron Maiden seriously anymore and tryingto listen to their music without laughing or thinking of Tap lyrics is anexercise in futility.

Legendary music promoter Irving Steinbloom has died and so a tribute concertis organised in his honour by his son, who tries to get together all the actshis father managed in the 60s. In documentary style we see rehearsal footage andreunions interspersed with interviews and faked archive footage.

The fact that folk hasn’t been spoiled then is either a relief or adisappointment, depending how you look at it. There can be no denying thatsomething of an edge has been lost and that the music and performers are justnot being targeted as mercilessly as they once were, but the recreations arespot on and there are plenty solid chuckles to be had.

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Most of the faces from Best In Show return and the addition of Shearermarks a Spinal Tap reunion of sorts, but Guest gives most of the running timeover to the others. Catherine O’Hara is delightful and Bob Balabangets a few good laughs but Fred Willard steals it again, just as hisdog show commentator did, this time as a washed up promoter.

Don’t expect to be rolling in the aisle but you’ll be smiling as you leaveand maybe even singing along with the songs. A mighty wind’s a blowing, it’sblowing you and me.

Review copyright © Paul Greenwood, 2004.E-mail Paul Greenwood

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