Grimerlana
Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike
Exoticalot
People are voting emotionally.
Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
ThingyBlahBlah3
I think the positive reviews pretty much covered what I value in this documentary. It's great to see such unappreciated talent finally get its day in the sun, the Funk Brothers are a hilarious and energetic bunch of guys in front of the camera, their stories contain plenty of wisdom and humor, and of course all of the music is pure perfection. The ground-level viewpoint of a session musician working for Berry Gordy is a very valuable addition to Motown history, especially as he did everything in his power to keep them out of it.It seems that most of the people who had problems with this movie are focused on the live performances, and particularly the choice of singers. While I found the songs worth listening to (and it was nice to finally see the guys playing together after 40 years), I suppose I'd justify the choice of singers in two ways:(1) This was a low-budget movie, and there wasn't money to bring in the likes of Aretha Franklin, Bono, or Stevie Wonder, so the producers had to take what they could get in the form of Gerald Levert, Joan Osborne, and Bootsy Collins (a fantabulous bass player and undisputed funk icon, but nobody's idea of a great singer).(2) It was a subtle attempt to prove the movie's thesis. If, indeed, the Funk Brothers were the secret ingredient in the Motown sound, what better way to prove it than to have them backing up some mostly* second-rate singers and STILL make it sound like a million bucks?* - I exclude Meshell Ndegeocello from that generalization.
Lorenzo1950
This film would deserve a perfect 10 rating were it not for the live performances of performers not worthy to be on the same stage as the Funk Brothers.Was Martha Reeves the only Motown performer available for the documentary? Where was Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross or the Four Tops?This film could have been so much better if it were more of a collaboration of the Funk Brothers and some of the Motown artists.The conversations from the bonus material are great. If I were an editor I would take all the Funk Brother bonus material, eliminate the live performances, (except when the Funk Brothers are performing as the Funk Brothers) and add the bonus material to the film.I did not like the dramatizations with actors. If the performer is deceased let them rest in peace. Do not recreate a scene because it was worthy of mention in the film. It is a shame James Jamerson, Robert White and Benny Benjamin were all gone when the film was released. At least Robert White had a chance to add some of his insight. I think the Robert White interviews were my favorite part of the film. I really admire this man.I am glad this film is in my collection but it could have been so much better.
Old_Movie_Man
What a late, but appropriate tribute to the men behind the Motown sound. I love documentaries, and this one was particularly moving, because I grew listening to the Motown sound. I used to listen to it until I fell asleep at night (this was before we had TVs in every bedroom), and I woke up to the sound in the morning. I was even encouraged to pantomime to Motown tunes (and others) by my grandfather, who generously gave me a quarter after one of my performances, when I was 5, 6 and 7 years old. (Thank God I grew out of that phase or and my sister and cousins were very glad that it was over too.) I guess the reason I fought back the tears was because of the memories that each song they played and artist that was profiled brought back. There was nothing like that Funk Brothers beat! Those brothers need a memorial somewhere, and really should be inducted into a Hall of Fame of some sort. The Motown sound changed the sound of rhythm and blues, and the Funk Brothers were a major force behind it. A music scholarship in their name would be an appropriate tribute, as well.God bless all of you guys for doing such a great job.
spider-82
The mere fact that these 13 people created so much of the best of American music in virtual anonymity is reason enough to watch this movie. But the performances of those great songs...lots of them, make it a really special movie. I think they could have found some better current singers to perform with them in the concert but even Joan Osbourne can sound good with the Funk Brothers playing behind her. Maybe that's the point of the movie. Steve Jordan said it best though when he said that Deputy Dog could have sung to their tracks and made hits. And just for the record, I was kind of proud that at least 2 of the 13 were Caucasian. :-)
