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Great World of Sound (2007)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 40
Fresh: 33
Rotten:7
Average Rating: 6.9/10
Consensus: The Great World Of Sound is a charming and unassuming film, thanks to breakthrough performances from Pat Healy and Kene Holiday.
Theatrical Release: Sep 14, 2007 Limited
Synopsis:
In today's American Idol culture, the road to success and fame is paved with deceit and manufactured talent. The Great World of Sound astutely addresses the growing trend of people looking for a shortcut to fame, as well as examines the...
In today's American Idol culture, the road to success and fame is paved with deceit and manufactured talent. The Great World of Sound astutely addresses the growing trend of people looking for a shortcut to fame, as well as examines the people who promise such an easy path.
The story follows Martin, who answers an ad from a company training prospective "music producers." During training, he pairs up with Clarence, a middle-aged man trying to change his career path. As record producers, the two travel to towns where the company has placed newspaper ads to find undiscovered musicians. They're seeking talent for the record label, signing new artists and giving them a chance to let their music be heard…for a small fee. It's going great until cracks start appearing in the company's sheen, and Martin and Clarence begin to question whether the company is as virtuous as it claims to be.
Pat Healy fully inhabits Martin, using the depths of his talent to channel a contemporary Willy Loman. When paired with the equally impressive Kene Holliday, the two form an unlikely duo with an uncanny chemistry. Director Craig Zobel seamlessly incorporates footage of real people into his painfully authentic story of achieving wealth and success by exploiting the hopes of others. With humor and pathos, The Great World of Sound critiques the dark side of the American Dream.
--© Sundance Film Festival
Starring: Pat Healy, Kene Holliday
Starring: Pat Healy, Kene Holliday
Director: Craig Zobel
Director: Craig Zobel
Screenwriter: Craig Zobel, George Smith
Producer: Craig Zobel, Melissa Palmer, David Gordon Green, Richard A. Wright
Composer: David Wingo
Studio: Magnolia Pictures
Reviews for Great World of Sound
Craig Zobel's soul-crushing docudrama slums in the real rags-to-rags tragedy of the lowest rung of the music industry.
The film's agenda becomes clear so early that the middle hour or so seems to be marking time until we get to the end.
Zobel ultimately comes down on the side of the suckers, whose need to make music -- even bad music -- gives them an unimpeachable dignity
A confident, sure-handed exercise focusing on the American Dream, turned nightmare.
It's evident early on that this is a scam, though the extent of the movie's con is surprising.
Displays all the trademarks of a true indie effort, especially in its refusal to sentimentalize either the characters or their situations.
Everybody's got a song to sing, and we'll all believe exactly what we want for just as long as we can.
Anyone who has enjoyed laughing at the bad singers auditioning on American Idol, consider the independent film Great World of Sound your penance.
The pros and cons of the film are in direct proportion to the personalities of the two main characters, whose relationship is the story's anchor.
Director Craig Zobel and co-writer George Smith imbue our two misfits with plenty of character depth and an intriguing camaraderie.
If there’s justice it should move plenty of viewers—those aching to see a recognizable conscience behind our fashionable American idolatry.
A quiet, clever and sometimes moving film about an unusual grifting lifestyle.
Great World of Sound exposes the scams of so-called talent scouts who fleece gullible songwriters answering their misleading advertisements.
"Great World of Sound" is a sleeper independent film destined to become an underground classic.
Funny, often cringe-inducing and, at heart, a real moral drama, Great World has a lot to say about the state of culture, commerce and self-delusion in our celebrity-craving society.
...an involving, offbeat and truly unusual American independent film.
Latest News for Great World of Sound
September 13, 2007:
Critical Consensus: Brave One Isn't Tops, Mr. Woodcock is Flaccid, Hunting Party is Busted
This week at the movies, we've got vigilantes (The Brave One, starring Jodie Foster), gym teachers (Mr. Woodcock starring Billy Bob Thornton and Susan Sarandon), war... More...
September 12, 2007:
Kene Holliday, who many might remember as Andy Griffith's African-American sidekick on the TV series Matlock back in the late Eighties, revitalizes his career here with a nonpareil outing which ought not be forgotten come Oscar time. ![]()
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September 08, 2007:
Trailer & Poster review. ![]()
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