The Dixie Chicks are extremely talented musicians. They are also extremely not understanding of the way politics work, as this movie proves. It's a documentary about the (admittedly, sometimes extreme) reaction America had when lead singer Natalie Maines said to a very anti-war London audience that she was "ashamed that the US president was from Texas." What the Dixie Chicks apparently didn't realize was that they were making a very political statement, and that has consequences.
This film certainly did not make me an anti-Bush fanatic; it didn't really change my political standing at all. The Dixie Chicks had every right to say what they said- that's freedom of speech. But America had every right to react the way it did- that's freedom of speech too. The Dixie Chicks never really could understand this. They seemed to think that the reaction to their statement was "like, totally not fair." But it was very fair.
I suppose you do have to give them points for sticking by what they said. "Taking the Long Way" as they called it in their songs. And I think that's what this movie was trying to do. They were brave for sticking together and not taking an easy way out which would have been easy to do. There's even one or two truly emotional scenes as they talk about the pain this has caused each of them personally. And by then end, you do nod your head in approval- even though they never should have said what they said in the first place. But, like I said, it was their right, and it always will be.
Speaking strictly of film-making, it is a very well-shot and well-put together movie, if you can even say that about a documentary. I've always had trouble watching things like this anyway because I've never quite understood how they work. Are "scenes" re-shot? How much is scripted dialogue? We'll never know those things, unfortunately, which means we'll never know how much of any documentary is real. But oh well...
Shut Up and Sing is interesting for sure, and definitely worth a view. I personally found it more laughable watching these three think they were being so mistreated. That may not be your feelings. Watch it for yourself and find out. 6/10 stars...
Jay Addison
This film certainly did not make me an anti-Bush fanatic; it didn't really change my political standing at all. The Dixie Chicks had every right to say what they said- that's freedom of speech. But America had every right to react the way it did- that's freedom of speech too. The Dixie Chicks never really could understand this. They seemed to think that the reaction to their statement was "like, totally not fair." But it was very fair.
I suppose you do have to give them points for sticking by what they said. "Taking the Long Way" as they called it in their songs. And I think that's what this movie was trying to do. They were brave for sticking together and not taking an easy way out which would have been easy to do. There's even one or two truly emotional scenes as they talk about the pain this has caused each of them personally. And by then end, you do nod your head in approval- even though they never should have said what they said in the first place. But, like I said, it was their right, and it always will be.
Speaking strictly of film-making, it is a very well-shot and well-put together movie, if you can even say that about a documentary. I've always had trouble watching things like this anyway because I've never quite understood how they work. Are "scenes" re-shot? How much is scripted dialogue? We'll never know those things, unfortunately, which means we'll never know how much of any documentary is real. But oh well...
Shut Up and Sing is interesting for sure, and definitely worth a view. I personally found it more laughable watching these three think they were being so mistreated. That may not be your feelings. Watch it for yourself and find out. 6/10 stars...
Jay Addison