A Mighty Wind Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Folk singers who peaked in the ’60s get back together for a concert, but mostly they just awkwardly sing about potatoes and wind while wearing questionable sweaters.

🍿 A Mighty Wind: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Memorial Concert Announced

Following the death of folk music manager Irving Steinbloom, his son Jonathan organizes a memorial concert at The Town Hall in New York City. The concert aims to celebrate Steinbloom’s life by reuniting some of the folk acts he guided to (relative) stardom during the 1960s folk boom.

Reuniting the Acts

The documentary follows the preparations and personal lives of three main acts: Mitch & Mickey, a former romantic and musical duo whose heartbreak led to their split; The Folksmen, a traditional folk trio with quirky personalities; and The New Main Street Singers, a meticulously coordinated and cheerful nine-member group. The film explores their individual stories and the dynamics within each group as they prepare for the reunion concert.

The Concert

The film culminates in the memorial concert itself, where the reunited acts perform their classic songs. The concert highlights the awkwardness, humor, and unexpected moments of connection between the performers. Mitch & Mickey’s performance is particularly poignant, given their history.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mitch Cohen (Eugene Levy): The mentally fragile half of the folk duo Mitch & Mickey, haunted by past heartbreak and struggling to maintain his composure.
• Mickey Crabbe (Catherine O’Hara): The other half of Mitch & Mickey, a grounded and supportive woman who still cares for her troubled ex-partner.
• Jerry Palter (Michael McKean): A member of The Folksmen, playing folk music with his friends.
• Mark Shubb (Harry Shearer): A member of The Folksmen, devoted to folk music along with Jerry and Alan.
• Alan Barrows (Christopher Guest): A member of The Folksmen, committed to the old style of folk music.
• Terry Bohner (John Michael Higgins): One of the leaders of The New Main Street Singers, obsessed with color coordination and maintaining a squeaky-clean image.
• Jonathan Steinbloom (Bob Balaban): The loving son of Irving Steinbloom, organizing a memorial concert to honor his father’s legacy.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Terry Bohner: “There was abuse in my family, but it was mostly musical in nature.” – Terry reveals the struggles within his family, humorously framing it around their musical endeavors.
• Mitch Cohen: “I never did no wanderin’.” – Title of a song which is Mitch’s attempt to deny a rumor about his past.
• Mickey Crabbe: “It’s ‘now-tro’. It’s retro, but now.” – Mickey describes the concept of blending retro styles with contemporary sensibilities.
• Lars Olfen: “I’ve always said folk music is the music of the people, by the people, and for the people… although not necessarily *by* the people.” – Lars Olfen tries to be folksy while discussing the folk music revival, but hilariously misses the point.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,781,006
• Worldwide Gross: $18,750,246

💥 A Mighty Wind Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved A Mighty Wind! As someone who grew up listening to folk music, this movie felt like a warm hug. The songs are hilarious but also surprisingly good, and the characters are so quirky and relatable. Eugene Levy’s performance is a standout, and the scene where Mitch and Mickey finally sing ‘A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow’ is genuinely touching. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys clever humor and heartwarming stories.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Christopher Guest’s other mockumentaries (This Is Spinal Tap, Best in Show)”
  • “People who enjoy folk music and its history”
  • “Viewers who appreciate subtle, character-driven humor”
  • “Anyone looking for a heartwarming and nostalgic comedy”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some mild language”
  • “Brief suggestive humor”
  • “References to past drug use”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A Mighty Wind captures the essence of the folk music era with a gentle, humorous touch. The film’s strength lies in its ensemble cast and their ability to create believable and endearing characters, resulting in a heartwarming and nostalgic experience.
• Rolling Stone: “Christopher Guest’s mockumentary hits all the right notes, offering a loving parody of the folk music scene. The original songs are surprisingly catchy and the performances are top-notch, making for a consistently funny and engaging film.
• Variety: “A Mighty Wind is a delightful and witty take on the folk music revival. Guest and Levy’s script is sharp, and the cast delivers memorable performances that capture the spirit of the era. A must-see for fans of mockumentaries and folk music alike.

Audience Reactions

The original songs were incredibly catchy and well-written.: Viewers praised the film’s gentle humor and its affectionate portrayal of the folk music scene.

The characters were quirky and relatable.: Many appreciated the movie’s heart and its ability to evoke nostalgia for a bygone era.

Overall Consensus: A Mighty Wind is a well-received mockumentary that offers a humorous and affectionate look at the folk music scene, with strong performances and catchy original songs.

Awards

1. Grammy Award (Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media)- 2004

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Many of the songs were written by the cast members themselves, showcasing their musical talents and contributing to the authenticity of the folk music parody.”
• “The film’s improvisational style allowed the actors to develop their characters and dialogue organically, adding to the mockumentary feel.”
• “Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer have performed as The Folksmen in character, opening for Spinal Tap concerts.”

🖥️ How to Watch A Mighty Wind?

A Mighty Wind is available for streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, and for purchase or rental on Apple TV and other major digital outlets. Check your local listings for television airings. The soundtrack is also available on Amazon Music.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed A Mighty Wind, you might like these similar films:

• This Is Spinal Tap (1984): Another mockumentary directed by Christopher Guest that satirizes the world of rock music and features similar improvisational humor.
• Waiting for Guffman (1996): Directed by Christopher Guest, this mockumentary explores the world of community theater with a similar style of humor and ensemble cast.
• Best in Show (2000): Another Christopher Guest film using the mockumentary format to humorously explore the world of competitive dog shows, with many of the same cast members.
• Almost Famous (2000): While not a mockumentary, this film captures the same era of music and the lives of musicians with a nostalgic and humorous tone.

🛒 A Mighty Wind Related Products

• A Mighty Wind [SOUNDTRACK]: The official soundtrack features all the hilarious and surprisingly catchy songs from the movie, perfect for reliving your favorite moments and singing along.
• A Mighty Wind (DVD): Relive the laughs with the DVD release. Special features included commentary and deleted scenes. Enjoy hilarious scenes whenever you want.
• A Mighty Wind Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the movie’s iconic poster, perfect for decorating your home theater or music room.
• The Complete Folksmen Songbook: The complete songbook includes sheet music and lyrics for all the classic Folksmen tunes, letting you play along and sing your heart out.

🎧 Soundtrack

A Mighty Wind features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “A Mighty Wind” – performed by The New Main Street Singers
• “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” – performed by Mitch & Mickey
• “Old Joe’s Place” – performed by The Folksmen
• “When You’re Next to Me” – performed by Mitch & Mickey

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

“A Mighty Wind,” a whimsical folk music tale

Ever wondered how Christopher Guest creates his hilarious mockumentaries? This interview dives into the making of ‘A Mighty Wind’ with the cast, revealing the secrets behind their improvisational genius. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the minds behind the movie!

‘Start Me Up’ as performed by The Folksmen (Sept. 2003)

You HAVE to see The Folksmen’s hilariously earnest folk version of The Rolling Stones’ ‘Start Me Up’! It’s pure comedic gold and a perfect example of the movie’s quirky charm. Trust me, you’ll be humming this all day.

The Complicated Cruelty of Christopher Guest

Want to understand the genius of Christopher Guest’s films on a deeper level? This video essay explores the surprising complexity behind his seemingly simple comedies like ‘A Mighty Wind,’ offering a fresh perspective on his unique style. It’s super insightful!

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