A Mighty Wind (2003)
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Three aging folk music acts reunite for a television performance to honor a deceased producer's legacy.
The story
After folk music producer Irving Steinbloom dies, his children organize a memorial concert featuring his three most famous acts: The Folksmen, The New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey. The Folksmen, a trio that hasn't performed together in decades, begin rehearsing with positive memories despite some tension over their set list. The New Main Street Singers, a group known for complex harmonies, include a coven of modern-day witches and a former adult film star. Meanwhile, the former couple Mitch & Mickey must navigate romantic tension and personal regrets as they prepare to reunite on stage for a live televised performance in New York City.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the death of producer Irving Steinbloom, his children organize a memorial concert at The Town Hall in New York, televised on the Public Broadcasting Network. The Folksmen, a trio including Mark Shubb, Alan Barrows, and Jerry Palterwere, rehearse with nostalgic joy despite minor friction over including a somber song about the Spanish Civil War. The New Main Street Singers, led by George Menschell, feature a 'neuftet' including a coven of witches and a former adult film star. Mitch & Mickey, a former couple, struggle with romantic tension and past break-up regrets during rehearsals. The live show features several hitches: a song is played out of order, and Mitch temporarily disappears to buy a rose for Mickey before they perform their signature song and kiss. In the finale, all three acts perform 'A Mighty Wind' together. Six months later, interviews reveal Mickey is performing at a trade show, Mitch is writing poetry, and Shubb has transitioned into a transgender woman named Marta, continuing to sing in a deep bass voice.
- First release year
- 2003
- Runtime (minutes)
- 92
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Christopher Guest
- Writers
- Christopher Guest · writer; Eugene Levy · writer
- Cast and characters
- Bob Balaban; Christopher Guest; John Michael Higgins; Eugene Levy; Jane Lynch; Michael McKean; Catherine O'Hara; Parker Posey
- Genres
- mockumentary; comedy; parody
- Themes
- nostalgia; reconciliation; musical legacy
- Tone and mood
- heartfelt; humorous
- Premise and plot tags
- mockumentary; parody; music; reunion
- Content notes
- transgender-related
- Reception
- The film received mostly positive reviews and critical acclaim, with a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 87% and a Metacritic score of 81%.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 87% · review count: 175; Metacritic · score: 81% · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Original Song · Nominated; Grammy Award · Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media · 46th Grammy Awards · Won
- Production trivia
- The Folksmen first appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1984.; The original concept was to give The Folksmen their own narrative vehicle.; The song 'Start Me Up' was not performed in the film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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