A Mighty Wind (2003)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Christopher Guest

Writers (WGA):

Christopher Guest (written by) &
Eugene Levy (written by)

Release Date:

9 May 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Tagline:

Back together for the first time, again.

Plot:

Mockumentary captures the reunion of 1960s folk trio the Folksmen as they prepare for a show at The Town Hall to memorialize a recently deceased concert promoter.

Plot Keywords:

The Folksmen | Concert | Reunion | New York City | 1960s

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 11 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Jim Moret	...	Newscaster
Stuart Luce	...	Irving Steinbloom
Mary Gross	...	Ma Klapper
Marty Belafsky	...	Ramblin' Sandy Pitnik
Michael Baser	...	Pa Klapper
Jared Nelson Smith	...	Young Chuck Wiseman
Ryan Raddatz	...	Bill Weyburn
Todd Lieberman	...	Fred Knox
Matthew Joy	...	Boy Klapper
Laura Harris	...	Girl Klapper
Brian Riley	...	Young George Menschell
Harry Shearer	...	Mark Shubb
Michael McKean	...	Jerry Palter
Christopher Guest	...	Alan Barrows
Eugene Levy	...	Mitch Cohen
Catherine O'Hara	...	Mickey Crabbe
Bob Balaban	...	Jonathan Steinbloom
Rachael Harris	...	Steinbloom's Assistant
Tyler Forsberg	...	Young Jonathan Steinbloom
Paul Dooley	...	George Menschell
Jim Ortlieb	...	David Kantor
Andrew Dickler	...	1971 Dell Wiseman
Thomas Lowry	...	1971 Howard Wiseman (as Thom Lowry)
Keva Rosenfeld	...	1971 Chuck Wiseman
Brian Allen	...	1960s Mitch & Mickey Bass
Danny Merritt	...	1960s Mitch & Mickey Guitar
Paul Benedict	...	Martin Berg
Floyd Van Buskirk	...	Steve Lang (as Floyd Vanbuskirk)
Jane Lynch	...	Laurie Bohner
John Michael Higgins	...	Terry Bohner
Parker Posey	...	Sissy Knox
Christopher Moynihan	...	Sean Halloran
David Blasucci	...	Tony Pollono
Patrick Sauber	...	Jerald Smithers
Steve Pandis	...	Johnny Athenakis
Mark Nonisa	...	Mike Maryama
Cameron Sprague	...	Young Terry Bohner
LeShay N. Tomlinson	...	Steinbloom's Secretary (as Leshay Tomlinson)
Mina Kolb	...	Dr. Mildred Wickes
Jim Piddock	...	Leonard Crabbe
Don Lake	...	Elliott Steinbloom
Deborah Theaker	...	Naomi Steinbloom
Fred Willard	...	Mike LaFontaine
Ed Begley Jr.	...	Lars Olfen
Wendel Meldrum	...	Witch #1
Diane Delano	...	Witch #2
Jim Jennewein	...	Witch #3 (as James Jennewein)
Richard Hicks	...	Witch #4
Michael Hitchcock	...	Lawrence E. Turpin
Larry Miller	...	Wally Fenton
Jennifer Coolidge	...	Amber Cole
Michael Mantell	...	Deputy Mayor
Bill Cobbs	...	Blues Musician
Freda Foh Shen	...	Melinda Barrows
Darlene Kardon	...	Shirley Steinbloom
Scott Williamson	...	PBN TV Director
Joe Godfrey	...	Mitch & Mickey Bass
Bruce Gaitsch	...	Mitch & Mickey Guitar
Diane Baker	...	Supreme Folk Defense Lawyer

Directed by
Christopher Guest

Writing credits (WGA)
Christopher Guest		(written by) &
Eugene Levy		(written by)

Produced by
Donna E. Bloom	....	line producer
Karen Murphy	....	producer

Cinematography by
Arlene Nelson		(as Arlene Donnelly Nelson)

Film Editing by
Robert Leighton

Casting by
Richard Hicks

Production Design by
Joseph T. Garrity

Art Direction by
Pat Tagliaferro

Set Decoration by
Dena Roth

Costume Design by
Durinda Wood

Makeup Department
Judi Cooper-Sealy	....	hair designer
Ann Masterson	....	key makeup artist
Kate Shorter	....	key makeup artist
Terri Ewton	....	hair stylist (uncredited)
Terri Ewton	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Donna E. Bloom	....	unit production manager
Pamela Louise Griner	....	post-production supervisor
Montez A. Monroe	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Joan G. Bostwick	....	second assistant director: New York
Cary Jones	....	second second assistant director
Scott Andrew Robertson	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Scott Buckwald	....	property master
Dan Dorfer	....	camera scenic artist
L. David Gordon	....	drapery foreman
Jeanne Kukor	....	property assistant
Debi Shirk Tagliaferro	....	art department coordinator
Franco Esile	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Kon Iliov	....	propmaker (uncredited)
Dean B. Katz	....	leadman (uncredited)
Kathy Orlando	....	buyer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Lawrence L. Commans	....	boom operator
Alison Fisher	....	adr editor
Alison Fisher	....	dialogue editor
Todd Harris	....	assistant sound editor
Matthew Iadarola	....	supervising re-recording mixer
Michael Magill	....	sound editor
Andy Peach	....	post-production sound recordist
Kira Smith	....	utility sound technician
Hamilton Sterling	....	supervising sound editor
Mark Weingarten	....	production sound mixer
Gary Gegan	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Robin Harlan	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Sarah Monat	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Randy Singer	....	foley mixer (uncredited)
Susumu Tokunow	....	sound mixer: reshoots (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
David M. Dunlap	....	director of photography: second unit, New York
Doug Foote	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Jordan Lapsansky	....	lighting technician
William M. Weberg	....	best boy grip: New York
David Barker	....	video assist operator (uncredited)
Brian Bartolini	....	electrician: re-shoots (uncredited)
Barry Berona	....	first assistant camera (uncredited)
Matt Blades	....	key rigging grip: New York (uncredited)
Rick Davis	....	key grip (uncredited)
Russell Griffith	....	electrician: re-shoots (uncredited)
Tim Hubbard	....	camera operator (uncredited)
David Lee	....	gaffer (uncredited)
Mike Shaheen	....	video playback operator (uncredited)
Ian Strang	....	electrician (uncredited)
Suzanne Tenner	....	still photographer (uncredited)

Casting Department
Leigh French	....	voice casting
Jimmy Jue	....	extras casting
Matthew Skrobalak	....	casting associate
Jill Warner	....	casting intern
Summer Wesson	....	extras casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Gloria Fonseca	....	costumer (uncredited)
Jaimie Froemming	....	costumer intern (uncredited)
Jennifer Starzyk	....	costumer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Andrew Dickler	....	additional editor
Chris Wagley	....	color timer
Mark Yoshikawa	....	first assistant editor

Music Department
Fernand Bos	....	supervising music editor
Jeffrey C.J. Vanston	....	music producer
Adrian Van Velsen	....	music editor

Transportation Department
Keith D. Fisher	....	transportation captain
Don Poole	....	driver
Aaron Skalka	....	transportation coordinator
Ken Farnell	....	driver (uncredited)
Michael Forte	....	transportation coordinator: re-shoots (uncredited)

Other crew
Michael Wesley Aycock	....	assistant location manager
Ian Calip	....	production assistant
Robby Fisher	....	assistant: Mr. Murphy
Michael M. Franklin	....	production assistant
Robbie Goldstein	....	location manager
Pamela Louise Griner	....	assistant: Mr. Guest (as Pamela Griner)
Gregory D. Hemstreet	....	production accountant
Bart Higgins	....	production assistant
Michael Judd	....	production assistant
David Kaufman	....	location manager
Colin McKean	....	production assistant
Carla Raij	....	location manager: New York
Marci Rosenberg	....	production coordinator
Albert Salsich	....	assistant location manager
Steffen Schlachtenhaufen	....	production assistant
Billy Taylor	....	production assistant
Mimi Turner	....	location scout
Susan White	....	production assistant
Clark Credle	....	additional production assistant (uncredited)
Gary C. Ferraro	....	caterer (uncredited)
Ronald Hairston Jr.	....	craft service (uncredited)
Ronald E. Hairston	....	key craft service (uncredited)
Ryce Hetherington	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Jonathan B. Lee	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Stephanie Lovell	....	additional set production assistant (uncredited)
Helen McGinn	....	script supervisor (uncredited)
Anne Scott	....	post-production accountant (uncredited)

Thanks
Jeffrey Stott	....	thanks

Production Companies

• Castle Rock Entertainment

Distributors

• Argentina Video Home (2004) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2004) (Finland) (DVD)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2004) (Finland) (VHS)
• Warner Bros. Pictures
• Warner Bros. (2004) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros.
• Warner Bros. (Japan) (theatrical)

Other Companies

• Central Casting  extras casting
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• Columbia Records  soundtrack
• DMZ Records  soundtrack
• Inter Video  24 frame video services
• Sony Music Soundtrax  soundtrack

Also Known As:

Untitled Christopher Guest Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sex-related humor.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-3 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | New Zealand:PG | Singapore:PG | UK:12A | USA:PG-13 (certificate #39820) | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Greystone Park & Mansion - 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Castle Rock Entertainment

Trivia:

Mickey's new husband is a model train enthusiast with only one train. This is because when the filmmakers went to the home which supposedly contained an impressive train setup, all of the trains themselves were broken or otherwise unusable. The engine seen moving in the movie is being pulled by dental floss through "Crabbe Town".

Goofs:

Continuity: Just before Mitch and Mickey are introduced the MC has his right hand up, holding a piece of blue paper. In the next shot, he has both hands at his sides.

Quotes:

Mitch Cohen: Seeing these long lines of fans who want nothing more than to have you sign an autograph, it's like it's 1968... Or '67... Or '66.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Veronica Mars: President Evil (#3.5)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Children of the Sun

A Christopher Guest comedy that goes for something deeper.

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.