-By Frank Scheck
For movie details, please click here.
A spotty execution trumps undeniably good intentions in
Soundtrack for a Revolution, a documentary that uneasily
combines a history of the civil-rights movement with renditions by
contemporary pop stars of the songs that rallied it.
Shortlisted for this year's Oscar documentary race, Bill Guttentag
and Dan Sturman's film is perhaps best suited for younger
audiences, who will be more receptive to a vital history lesson
only if it's given a music-video-style treatment.
Although the film's premise of exploring the progress of the
civil-rights struggle via the music that became an essential
element of it is a worthy one, the filmmakers provide frustratingly
little historical context. Songs are briefly mentioned by such
interview subjects as John Lewis, Andrew Young, Julian Bond and
Harry Belafonte; lyrics are flashed on the screen; and then we see
studio footage of such musicians as John Legend, Joss Stone,
Anthony Hamilton, The Roots, Angie Stone and others providing their
distinctive interpretations.
Although all of the major historical touchstones are dutifully
touched upon, the story of the movement itself is not handled in
particularly deep fashion, which is not surprising considering the
film's brief running time (82 minutes) and profusion of musical
segments. Most of the archival footage is relatively familiar, and
anyone looking for a truly comprehensive account will be better off
looking elsewhere, like the award-winning public-television series
"Eyes on the Prize."
Still, the material packs its inevitable dramatic punch, and many
of the musical performances are stirring. If it compels viewers to
seek more information about its vital subject matter, then
Soundtrack for a Revolution will have served a worthy
purpose.
-
The Hollywood Reporter
Film Review: Soundtrack for a Revolution
The history of the civil-rights movement as explored through the music that inspired it.
Jan 22, 2010
-By Frank Scheck
For movie details, please click here.
A spotty execution trumps undeniably good intentions in
Soundtrack for a Revolution, a documentary that uneasily combines a history of the civil-rights movement with renditions by contemporary pop stars of the songs that rallied it.
Shortlisted for this year's Oscar documentary race, Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman's film is perhaps best suited for younger audiences, who will be more receptive to a vital history lesson only if it's given a music-video-style treatment.
Although the film's premise of exploring the progress of the civil-rights struggle via the music that became an essential element of it is a worthy one, the filmmakers provide frustratingly little historical context. Songs are briefly mentioned by such interview subjects as John Lewis, Andrew Young, Julian Bond and Harry Belafonte; lyrics are flashed on the screen; and then we see studio footage of such musicians as John Legend, Joss Stone, Anthony Hamilton, The Roots, Angie Stone and others providing their distinctive interpretations.
Although all of the major historical touchstones are dutifully touched upon, the story of the movement itself is not handled in particularly deep fashion, which is not surprising considering the film's brief running time (82 minutes) and profusion of musical segments. Most of the archival footage is relatively familiar, and anyone looking for a truly comprehensive account will be better off looking elsewhere, like the award-winning public-television series "Eyes on the Prize."
Still, the material packs its inevitable dramatic punch, and many of the musical performances are stirring. If it compels viewers to seek more information about its vital subject matter, then
Soundtrack for a Revolution will have served a worthy purpose.
-
The Hollywood Reporter
