The songs are to die for, and really make this a great movie to see. It's a peek into the cultural heritage of the blues and gospel in America, and the deep roots of rock and roll emerging from a segregated South.
It's a bit stereotyped racially. The whites are all one dimensional, unsympathetic crooks and bigoted bastards except for one cloyingly condescending alcoholic woman. The black characters offer a more realistic and well acted mix and are multidimensional and intriguing. Glover is excellent, and you are really pulling for him by the end of the movie, along with his wife who stands by his side under tremendous stress. There is a real emphasis on the positive side of a family living out tough times which makes the story compelling. The interaction between Maceo and darn near everyone else, especially the sewing woman, was hilarious and entertaining.
On the downside, it was very slow to develop. The pace during the first 2/3 of the movie was downright glacial. Some of the scenes could have been cut and a few more songs thrown in instead. It was a bit hard to believe that the guitarist at the end didn't check his amp before such a critical performance. Still, these are minor points that did little to detract from an overall good movie.
Anyone with an interest in music and its roots should see this movie and will enjoy it thoroughly.
It's a bit stereotyped racially. The whites are all one dimensional, unsympathetic crooks and bigoted bastards except for one cloyingly condescending alcoholic woman. The black characters offer a more realistic and well acted mix and are multidimensional and intriguing. Glover is excellent, and you are really pulling for him by the end of the movie, along with his wife who stands by his side under tremendous stress. There is a real emphasis on the positive side of a family living out tough times which makes the story compelling. The interaction between Maceo and darn near everyone else, especially the sewing woman, was hilarious and entertaining.
On the downside, it was very slow to develop. The pace during the first 2/3 of the movie was downright glacial. Some of the scenes could have been cut and a few more songs thrown in instead. It was a bit hard to believe that the guitarist at the end didn't check his amp before such a critical performance. Still, these are minor points that did little to detract from an overall good movie.
Anyone with an interest in music and its roots should see this movie and will enjoy it thoroughly.