The Ringmaster

Holy f#@k this is an absolute must see. I knew zero about this documentary going in and found it to be delicious, funny and heart wrenching. Every time you think the story is going in one direction the unanticipated occurs and you're on the edge of your seat the entire time. I found the filmmaker to be very passionate about honoring the onion ring chef from his childhood. It is really sad to see how this film ends but the movie is so well made and makes you feel very deeply. Also, it was cool to see KISS the band in this movie and the connection to the NFL.

Onions have layers, just like people do, and this movie is a perfect demonstration of just how complicated people truly are. Just as the two heroes from the cult classic "American Movie" set out on an unabashedly honest attempt at creating true art, their final product pales in comparison to their journey. That's where all the revelations are, along the path. As Zack bumbles his way face forward into pursuing his personal vision we get a rare opportunity to observe humans in a truly chaotic situation doing what humans do best, not knowing what we are doing. The result is one of the most honest and interesting documentaries about real Americans and the dreams we pursue as well as what shapes our lives. Just as we laughed and jived at the filmmakers of "American Movie" the honesty of the film is what has cemented it as cult classic years later. It's a real movie, with real people, and real consequences which is also a testament to the art of documentaries and how the art truly is a jungle. I recommend a viewing to any auteur looking for something new and raw.

So crazy. Loved everything about this, from the documentarian to Larry - really heartfelt and deep honestly. I thought I was watching a documentary about the best onion rings in the world but really it turned into something more important. Respect to everybody involved. Watch and support this film.

Greetings again from the darkness. I've just finished reading an article proclaiming "addict" is now an offensive term, but since Zach Capp refers to himself as a gambling addict at the beginning of this movie, I guess it's alright here. Let's start by saying it's not unusual for a documentary project to shift gears or change tracks during production. Sometimes a better story or topic pops up, and the filmmaker goes with it. But that's not what this is. This is more 'Mutiny on the Documentary' and the result is a unique mess that still manages to hold our attention.

Zach discusses his 2015 stint in rehab ("it saved my life") and subsequent inheritance from his grandfather. These two events led him to quit his very good job and pursue documentary filmmaking. His first subject? Onion rings. The onion rings he calls "a big part of my childhood". After we hear numerous customers rave about these onion rings, we meet Larry Lang, the man responsible for the immensely popular tasty treats. Mr. Lang lives in Worthington, Minnesota, and we quickly realize he's not the guy you would likely select as the centerpiece for a film. Well, we realize that, but Zach Capp never does.

We do learn that Zach had a vision, and this was to be the first in a series entitled "American Food Legends". Following Larry around is somewhat less than stimulating, and we try to decide if he is simply socially awkward, or if he falls somewhere on the spectrum. His onion ring recipe is kept secret, and he brings the ingredients to work in a brown paper bag. Larry's sister, Linda, acts as a kind of handler for him during the filming process with Zach and the crew. As a viewer, I often felt like they were intruding on this poor man, yet Zach and everyone involved treated Larry and Linda with respect.

The real cluster involves a garage band named Dead Man's Party performing "Larry's Song", and continues on to the King Turkey Day Parade, Badland's Pawn - known for 'Guns, Gold, and Rock 'n Roll", and ultimately, Badlands' Speedway, where Larry's onion rings are to be featured. Of course, most of Zach's plans to "improve" Larry's life fall flat because Larry is only happy when he's in the kitchen he knows making onion rings for the locals who know him. It could be viewed as an intrusion with the best intentions ... or it could be viewed as manipulation for selfish reasons.

However you view it, the aforementioned 'mutiny' occurs when the crew realizes Zach's pursuit of the "Lord of the Onion Rings" (the original title) is more of a story than Larry Lang. Director Dave Newberg and his girlfriend Molly Dworski are called in to salvage a project that dragged out 3 years. The film is bookended with 2018 Las Vegas, as the onion rings are entered into a tasting as "Raider Rings" ... an offering of the newly transplanted NFL Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas. This ties in the long-time Las Vegas restaurant Piero's, and its owner. It would be nice to report a happy-ending or even bittersweet finale, but life tends to deliver in whatever manner fits. By the time this one ends, we are mostly confused and concerned. What a strange experience, and one that I'll recall anytime onion rings hit my plate.

My family grew up visiting this area in Southwest Minnesota where the famous onion rings are from and we all thought the documentary was a touching tribute to a true Minnesota legend. Compelling and heartbreaking. We were on the edge of our seats for 88 minutes. It is an emotional film that will leave you thinking for sure. I laughed, I cried and I felt deeply for all the characters. We were saddened to hear that Larry recently passed away but we're glad to hear that he had a chance to see the film in a sold out theater before the pandemic. This documentary ensures that his legacy will live on and I hope the rings become available again one day because they really are as good as everyone says in the movie.