Dan W
Ross McElwee's proclaimed intent was to make a movie about the Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman's infamous 1864 March to the Sea. But he ends up making a movie about his own search for love. McElwee is one of the least likely romantic figures, but his understated comic presence is just what makes his film so special, ultimately as revealing about human interaction as it is entertaining to watch.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/25/24
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s r
1001 movies to see before you die. This one was a bit bizarre, but oddly real. Starting off with a documentary, it evolves into this man's search for a woman. I don't think I need to see it again other than for a period piece. The Mormon woman was fascinating. It was on Youtube.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
Full Review
William L
"I have no desire to meet or talk to any of the young women I've been introduced to, despite very encouragement from my father. The mere thought of trying to meet someone new depresses me."
Yup, he's a movie buff alright.
Surprisingly relevant today in its political themes, Sherman's March is an interesting time capsule of a documentary precisely because it is so broad in its 'focus', touching on subjects from all walks of life as McElwee wanders around the South documenting both the modern influence of Sherman's March (and by extension, the Southern identity that has formed as a result of long-standing tensions and Lost Cause mythology; this was apparently intended to be the exclusive subject of the film originally) but also incorporating the documentarian's repeated romantic failures during his travels, interweaving the two so they can't really be separated. As a result, the audience is presented with this cocktail of personal drama, vague history lesson, and cultural portrait all told with a surprising degree of sincerity as candid conversation naked on isolated islands and jam sessions to the car radio receive equal treatment as interviews of the local Daughters of the Confederacy segment.
However, I can't say that it's a straightforward or easily digestible experience, as many of the personal elements (particularly early in the runtime) seem far less interesting than the inflammatory comments of a hyper-conservative Southern commune, people espousing America as the literal Christian promised land, and a woman who believes "slavery should be voluntary". However, the film becomes more cohesive with time; despite a runtime of more than two and half hours and a narrator that sounds drier and less interesting than your phone's busy tone signal, there is usually an element of engagement throughout. McElwee's own mother is the actual star of the film, her distinct combination of deep-fried charm, bullheadedness, prejudice, and particular brand of care for her son (setting up her adult son, constantly disparaging his profession, and yet coming to his defense at the slightest provocation from a national park guide). The most difficult element to stomach seems to be McElwee himself, who may be due credit for the unique form of Sherman's March but whose vague musings occasionally border on the pseudointellectual ("my real life has fallen into the crack between myself and my film"); his deadpan sarcastic style is excessively deadpan, intentionally implying the lack of social graces of someone like a Nathan Fielder but without as much of a payoff. Personally I disliked him, but I imagine others may disagree.
In a film of such length, there will always be details to pick apart, but the overall design will come down to a matter of personal preference. Worth a watch and featuring some great impromptu interview content, but the seams holding togather the historic documentary and personal odyssey are pretty clearly visible. (3/5)
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
09/30/21
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Audience Member
Obviously people have different opinions. I found myself watching it (while confined toa couch after surgery). Who wouldn't want a comedy that critics give such high reviews? I did not finish it. It's dated which is ok, but who are these women? The smartest ones were the younger daughters or the one living alone on the island off South Carolina . Otherwise I would not enjoy the company of any of them which turned me off. Especially the former teacher who played to the camera the whole time. Boring, not very funny, good historical record of 80s fashion.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
01/22/23
Full Review
Audience Member
The filmmaker of this documentary gets dumped right before he starts shooting, and it morphs his documentary about following the route of a Civil War admiral who destroyed the South into a weird journey of personal discovery about himself and his relationships with women. It is humorous and interesting introspective look at the filmmaker, who never really gets around to making his documentary about his subject, despite a few attempts...and really just focuses on his own struggles with romance.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/17/23
Full Review
Audience Member
This was a great documentary and so beautifully done. He perfectly conveys all the charms of the South and all its stubbornness. McElwee certainly objectifies the women he pursues, constantly depicting them as the kind of mystical and unobtainable women labeled MPDG. Yet these portrayals seem intentional and self aware so I am willing to forgive them. Also, the bits about Sherman and the parallels he draws between Sherman's campaign and his own love life are so spot on.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
Full Review
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