A Mighty Wind

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A Mighty Wind

PG-13

Released Apr 16, 2003

1h 30m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

87%

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173 Reviews

75%

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25,000+ Ratings

In this hilarious backstage mockumentary, three eclectic, never-quite-famous folk bands come together for the first time in decades following the death of their manager to put on an reunion concert in his honor, at the request of his son (Bob Balaban). For the members of The Folksmen, The New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey, time has not been kind. As the show approaches, apprehension sets in, romances are rekindled and ambitions are permanently deferred.

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Critics Consensus

Though not as uproariously funny as Guest's previous movies, A Mighty Wind is also more heartfelt.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Hilarious folk music mockumentary has some innuendo.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 21, 2010

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Empire Magazine

Rated: 4/5

Apr 1, 2006

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Nev Pierce

BBC.com

Rated: 2/5

Jan 15, 2004

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Mark Steyn

The Spectator

Aside from Miss Lynch, there are two very sweet performances, by Levy and O'Hara as Mitch and Mickey.

Feb 3, 2018

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Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

The performance that sticks is the one by Eugene Levy, whose work conveys a tenderness that momentarily slices through the satire.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 13, 2016

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

One breathtaking moment of clarity between Eugene Levy's Mitch and Catherine O'Hara's Mickey gives way to an anticipated kiss during which you can practically sense the characters' hearts thumping and their fictional contemporaries rooting for them.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 25, 2010

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Julian S

With its gentle charm, A MIGHTY WIND strikes a fresh note, blending heartfelt moments with the familiar faces and playful humor that define Guest’s signature style.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/25

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Alec B

Christopher Guest's masterpiece. You get the sense that while he's mocking elements of the folk music scene, he ultimately loves the genre and these characters. Everything with Mitch and Mickey is so perfect I can't help but get moved to tears.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

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Jules S

Like all Guest's films, fresh, amusing, innovative, and just great.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/31/23

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Diane B

That "Kiss At The End of the Rainbow" song? Pretty dammmm good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/13/22

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Audience Member

There's something about Christopher Guest movies. Yes, they're funny. Yes, they're quirky. But there's more to it. The regular cast that populates his films are first-rate and they pull off the comedy so expertly. Whether it's this movie, Best in Show, This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, they are all recognizable as Christopher Guest movies. The one that's in a class by itself is Princess Bride. But, A Mighty Wind is certainly deserving of your time if you'd like a positive laugh.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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dave s

Christopher Guest's A Mighty Wind doesn't have the same cutting satire as some of his other mockumentaries, sometimes coming across as more of a loving tribute to the folk scene of the early 1960s, but there is still plenty to like. When folk producer Irving Steinbloom passes away, his son Jonathan (Bob Balaban) decides to organize a tribute concert featuring acts that his father worked with, among them Mitch and Mickey (Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara). The dialogue, much of which feels improvised, is clever and insightful, the music is catchy and kitschy, and the cast, most of whom are Guest regulars, are excellent, notably Levy and O'Hara, as well as Jane Lynch as a former porn actress turned folk singer.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Christopher Guest

Director

Bob Balaban

Jonathan Steinbloom

Christopher Guest

Alan Barrows

John Michael Higgins

Terry Bohner

Eugene Levy

Mitch Cohen

Jane Lynch

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Synopsis

In this hilarious backstage mockumentary, three eclectic, never-quite-famous folk bands come together for the first time in decades following the death of their manager to put on an reunion concert in his honor, at the request of his son (Bob Balaban). For the members of The Folksmen, The New Main Street Singers, and Mitch & Mickey, time has not been kind. As the show approaches, apprehension sets in, romances are rekindled and ambitions are permanently deferred.

Director: Christopher Guest
Producer: Karen Murphy
Screenwriter: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Sex-Related Humor)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 16, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 30, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.5M
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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