After such wonderful comedies as Spinal Tap and Best in Show you would be forgiven for thinking that Mighty Wind would be another rip roaring ensemble comedy, unfortunately while it has its moments it fails to be consistently funny.

The premise of the movie is straightforward - a Jewish, New based folk music maven has died and his son wants to put together a tribute concert featuring his father's favorite folk acts. The only problem there is that most of the bands haven't played together in tens of years, some aren't even talking and, oh wait, it has to happen in two weeks and is going out live. This sets the necessary ingredients for the comedy - and there are some fine moments, especially with the 'Spinal Tap' guys playing together as the Folksmen - but overall the movie fails to keep it's momentum going. The comedic gold of tension sits there un-mined, with niceness, weird behaviors and somewhat phoned in faux histories the order of the day.

The high point of the movie to me were the faux folk songs, all of which are well written and sung, and just on the right side of pastiche. Plus Harry Shearer's beard is something to behold, unlike the over-acting in Eugene Levy's eye brows.

Mighty Wind was written by Eugene Levy and Christopher Guest, both of whom play key roles in the movie. Along with the rest of the cast they give superb performances, based on a filming process heavy on improvisation. The characterizations of the folk singer's histories are definitely amusing and well portrayed, with moments of laugh out loud genius, but overall the film lacks oomph. You feel as if they decided to have any real dramatic moments would not be in keeping with a group of old folk singers getting together and perhaps they're right - but in the movies you expect a little more.

Recommended:
No

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older