Oh,dear, after all the expectations, I was slightly disappointed. I [i]would[/i] see it again, because there are subtleties (instrumentation, notes, lyrics), I missed, and the costumes were delicious. Darn it, my favorites far and above all, were the Folksmen, and I wanted to see them more, and more songwise (no, it wasn't a concert film, but why not let them finish a song?) Loved Harry Shearer's bass-voiced droleness, Guest's deadpan sublety. The Main Street Singers were cute for a little while -- and I recognized a lot of wierd California types in the two religous freaks.

But (ohmigod, am I the only one that thinks this?) Mitch bored me to tears. Everytime he gave one of his spaced-out speeches, I tuned out. I read that he was given free reign as to what to do with the character -- I don't agree with his choice. I was looking for more direct parody of recognizable folk acts, and I certainly didn't see Ian in that. I think Roger Ebert had a point -- that the musicianship was just too close to the real thing, and not *quite* bent enough. I waited through the entire performance of the title song to get to the funny last line (I did entirely enjoy Shearer assigning each section of the audience to a different animal sound. Now *that* rang true from that time!)

Things I liked: Bob Balaban (used to hate him, love him now). Even liked the Town Hall manager (turns out, he's a patient at my dentist's!) Liked Ed Begley's little Yiddish bit to kow-two to the Jewish aspect of the biz a lot. Loved the opening "Weavers-film" style segment. Wanted more like that. And LOVED all the album covers! (particularly great was the ersatz Ian and Sylvia cover, with the exact pose and sheepskin jackets -- would that they would have carried the Ian and Sylvia "joke" just a little further).

A friend, who did like the film better than I -- noted that parts of the "Weaver" segment were too over-the top -- how stupid, he said, can they be to put out albums without a hole? He compared it to Spinal Tap, with the "11" on the needle (not sure if I am quoting him accurately, but he meant the ST nailed the players better).

I did not mind that this satirized that pallid early-60's folk, and not the "authentic" stuff. After all, how funny could you get parodying Dylan (although, maybe folk madonnas like Baez/Collin). But, perhaps Guest *is* too close to the stuff. Could any of us parody Baez and not feel like we were trampling on sacred ground?

The audience with me, came in wanting to laugh, it was obvious. We all laughed mightily at the beginning, and it tapered off. Again, I would like to see it again, though.

Speaking of over-the-top, Fred Willard was just awfully unfunny. Maybe he's one that *should* have been scripted.