The Saddest Music in the World (2003)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Guy Maddin

Writers:

Kazuo Ishiguro (original screenplay)
George Toles (written by) ...

Release Date:

1 September 2005 (Greece)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Music | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

"If you're sad, and like beer, I'm your lady."

Plot:

A sort-of musical set in Winnipeg during the Great Depression, where a beer baroness organizes a contest to find the saddest music in the world. Musicians from around the world descend on the city to try and win first place - a $25,000 prize.

Plot Keywords:

Winnipeg | Beer | Musician | Car Accident | Amnesia

Awards:

6 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Mark McKinney	...	Chester Kent
Isabella Rossellini	...	Lady Helen Port-Huntley
Maria de Medeiros	...	Narcissa
David Fox	...	Fyodor Kent
Ross McMillan	...	Roderick Kent / Gravillo the Great
Louis Negin	...	Blind Seer
Darcy Fehr	...	Teddy
Claude Dorge	...	Duncan Elksworth
Talia Pura	...	Mary
Jeff Sutton	...	Young Chester
Graeme Valentin	...	Young Roderick
Maggie Nagle	...	Chester's Mother
Victor Cowie	...	Man in Bar
Jessica Burleson	...	Lady's Secretary
Wayne Nicklas	...	Boardmember

MPAA:

Rated R for some sexuality and violent images.

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Hong Kong:IIB | France:U | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Canada:PG | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Manitoba Production Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Company:

Rhombus Media

Trivia:

The Mexican lead singer of the mariachi band performs wearing the Republic of Panama's female national dress, called "pollera".

Quotes:

Lady Port-Huntley: Go to Hell, Chester!
Chester Kent: In due time. First I'm going to have my victory cigar.

Movie Connections:

References Footlight Parade (1933)

Soundtrack:

The Song Is You - Chester's Last Gasp Version

So funny I immediately bought another ticket

The credits rolled last night at 11:50 PM at the Sunshine on Houston Street in NYC.

Outside the theatre, I glanced up at the box office board: There was another viewing at 11:55 p.m. I impulsively bought another ticket and saw it again.

This is one of the funniest, most original and absurd movies I have ever seen. I feel like I can't believe I've actually seen it -- waking up dizzy at 2 PM today on a Saturday and pondering this movie.

All I remember is the wonderful music, the great one-liners, and those fanciful legs. Oh, for legs such as those!

Everyone must be forced to sit through this film as punishment for watching any television, ever.

Isabella Rossilini should be so proud of forging through the offers of banal roles and accepting roles such as this. It is not a surprise that the same actresss who allowed David Lynch to strip and bruise her in Blue Velvet would embrace such a role as Port-Huntley. If you're sad, and like beer, she's your woman!

The audience last night was howling with laughter and delight at the absurd and brilliant lines in this movie. There was so much to like about this spectacular musical.

But most of all, there were those intoxicating legs.