Shut Up & Sing

Here's a perfect example of why you have to take the IMDb rating system with a grain of salt -- many of the people who hate the Dixie Chicks because they made an anti-Bush comment will give a rating of 1, even if they haven't seen the film. Pro-Dixie Chicks people will feel compelled to give it a 10 to balance out the 1s. Check the vote graph to see the absurd number of 10s and 1s it's getting.

The truth is, it's a pretty good documentary that's worth checking out. I knew very little about the group before seeing this film, but I'm now more likely to listen to (or buy) their music than I was before. I'm still amazed at the size of the backlash that was created. Hopefully this will open some people's eyes.

I also saw this movie at TIFF and thought it one of the highlights of the festival. Like the music that envelopes it, this film was worth the wait. The film shows the band as professional, very talented, and still growing in their musicianship and performing skills. At the same time, Kopple and Peck capture the personalities and heart that are at the center of the band and their music. The film is revealing about the American's media's trivializing of dissent about the Iraq war and the deep antagonisms within American society -- antagonisms that defy country v. rock v. pop v. classical labels. It clearly shows some of the ill effects of the media monopolies newly permitted by the FCC. The Dixie Chicks were ahead of some of their audience in recognizing the disastrous nature of the war but many in that audience have now caught up with those sentiments and the Dixie Chicks have broadened their audience and their music since then. The music is terrific! What a great film!

I just saw this film at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and wanted to spread the word right away.

This is a great documentary that will appeal to anyone, even if you don't like country music (which I don't). The screening was held at 9:30am on a Wednesday and the theatre was packed. The entire audience seemed to have a great time which added another level to the film. This is the type of movie that needs to be seen in the theatre to get the full experience.

Similar to Metalica: Some Kind of Monster, this film goes beyond the usual formulaic making of an album film, and into what happens when the real world intrudes into these insular lives.

Free speech being what it is in this country (a novel concept, wherein one person who shouts down mediocrity is immediately usurped by another, opposing voice who shouts down that original voice), it's a shame this entertaining documentary on the outspoken Dixie Chicks can't be enjoyed by everyone. A liberal viewpoint and an anti-George W. Bush comment made in London on-stage in 2003 left the one-time country music darlings Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, and Martie Maguire fueling the fires of controversy; two years later they recorded an incredibly strong (and wise) comeback-record of purpose, one that quickly put them back on top in some markets (the country network is shown as still being iffy). Whether Republican or Democrat, the new music (shrewdly, though apparently unintentionally, accessible to quite a wide audience) can certainly be enjoyed for everything it is: a defiant and sometimes joyous collection of songs which make a bold, personal statement and yet leave lots of room for debate. The band's inner-political strategy seems non-existent (the original offending comment was obviously an off-the-cuff josh with the audience); while there's certainly more Bush-bashing in private, the women band together quite impressively. Maines, who made the remark, is said to be terribly guilty about putting her cohorts in harm's way, yet her righteous anger fuels her course with very little public regret (which some will love and some will not). An impressive film with much to consider and much to admire. *** from ****

I saw the film today, and it was every bit as good as I hoped it would be. Contrary to what some may think, the film is not about the Chicks whining about losing their freedom of speech. The primary focus is on the Chicks (and their manager) handling the backlash to Natalie's on-stage comment and trying to get their career back on track without the support of country radio. The film shows considerable heated discussion between the Chicks and their manager about handling their problems, and it's a side of musicians we rarely get to see. Considering that the film shows these arguments, and shows the Chicks without makeup, I don't think anyone could classify this as a vanity project.

Of course, if you hate the Dixie Chicks or love Dubya, you'll hate this film. I saw one woman walk out after one of Natalie's Bush insults, but it was the best moment of the film for me. The film also shows some of the media coverage of the Chicks backlash, including the ever-reliable Bill O'Reilly saying that the Chicks "should be slapped around." What a classy guy.

In short, I loved the film and I plan to see it again.