This film has a lot to say about America, and Americans, at their most sad and most hopeful.
The song poem industry can be taken as a metaphor for show business as a whole, or at least most Americans' relationship to it.
The most telling thing about the reactions from the aspiring songwriters is not that they feel ripped-off by cynical hucksters. In fact, they have the opposite reaction, mostly. They remain optimistic and continue to cradle the American Dream to their hearts. They're lovely people, and very, deeply American, even if you do want to slap them around so they wake up to reality. But then again, why shatter their dreams?
A highly, highly recommended documentary. Especially good for fans of popular music or record collectors.
The song poem industry can be taken as a metaphor for show business as a whole, or at least most Americans' relationship to it.
The most telling thing about the reactions from the aspiring songwriters is not that they feel ripped-off by cynical hucksters. In fact, they have the opposite reaction, mostly. They remain optimistic and continue to cradle the American Dream to their hearts. They're lovely people, and very, deeply American, even if you do want to slap them around so they wake up to reality. But then again, why shatter their dreams?
A highly, highly recommended documentary. Especially good for fans of popular music or record collectors.