The world of backup singers, usually relegated to the shadows, is put under the spotlight in this winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary that examines their role in popular music. Nails the sense of joie de vivre these extraordinary artists put into every note-a tribute to doing it for the love of the expression over stardom that provides incalculable amounts of inspiration.
Generous, fascinating documentary Neville's greatest strength is as a historian, able to sort through a wealth of details to find the pieces he needs to tell one clear, compelling story. More than a tribute, the film is a recognition of the talent and sacrifice that many of these vocalists have invested in often challenging careers. Sign Up. I forgot my password. Already have a Flicks Account? Sign in. Morgan Neville. More like this.
Watch options. Storyline Edit. The backup singer exists in a strange place in the pop music world; they are always in the shadow of the feature artists even when they are in front of them in concert while they provide a vital foundation for the music. Through interviews with veterans and concert footage, the history of these predominately African-American singers is explored through the rock era. Furthermore, special focus is given to special stand outs who endeavored to make a living in the art burdened with a low profile and more personal career frustrations, especially those who faced the very different challenge of singing in the spotlight themselves.
Meet the unsung heroes behind the greatest music of our time. Documentary Biography History Music. Rated PG for some strong language and sexual material. Did you know Edit. Goofs Error in important explanatory on-screen caption at around 10 minutes: "The Blossoms were on of the most prolific session groups of the s. User reviews 89 Review. Top review. Not as informative as you might think. This is a documentary of the background singers we've been listening to for decades.
People whose singing we actually sing or hum to without ever knowing who they are. That magic that works in the studio or on stage as background singers is undeniable but may not necessarily be there for them when they try to branch out on their own as a lead singer.
They are talented for sure and many songs wouldn't sound anything like they do without back up singers. The documentary is good however, something is missing. Who actually calls the singers for a gig? Who actually pays them? How are they paid? By the hour? By the session? How did they get started? Where was their first gig?
None of this spoken of and there is a sense that perhaps the interviewers were told that they shouldn't dig too, too deep. Not bad but left me wanting more. Jared H Super Reviewer. May 13, You need a slice of luck and also a doggedness and determination, in short you've gotta want it enough. And that's the thing with this documentary. After all the accolades its received I expected a catalogue of hard luck stories, regret and downright disrespect but that isn't what I saw in this.
Admittedly there is some behaviour that can only be described as bang out of order. Like the singer who recorded a track only to hear it on the radio being passed off as being sung by someone else. A kind of pre Milli Vanilli but without the intent. There was also the story of one of Michael Jacksons ex backing singers who seemed to be trying so hard to make a solo career but the harder she tried, the more it just didn't happen. To me there was no reason why this lady Judith Hill shouldn't succeed.
She not only has a superb voice but is also very pleasing on the eye. So maybe this highlights the opposite of what I am saying in that even with all of the right ingredients, fame and success is still not a given. But what I took from this documentary is that the majority had a big respect with many major artists competing for their services.
One very talented lady won a Grammy to recognise her efforts but not all of those featured desired solo success and this struck a chord with me. There did seem to be a stigma attached to this and the aforementioned Judith Hill was certainly a victim of this. And then there is the Waters family. Renowned and revered throughout the industry as some of the best there has ever been.
They did the backing vocal to Thriller and bizarrely some animal sounds in the film Avatar yes seriously. To say that this family annoyed the bejesus out of me is an understatement. They insisted on singing at almost every opportunity throughout the documentary including what felt like singing answers to questions posed to them. I could just envisage in my mind's eye the Waters family going down en masse to their local shop to sing for 40 fags, a cornetto and a can of Red Bull in the style of a Skiffle band.
Maybe at dinner they have a riff off for the right to the last piece of bread? Ten minutes in this family's company and I'm sure I'd be searching for a rusty blunt instrument to sever their vocal chords. However, I would deny this thereafter in a court of law. Justin F Super Reviewer. Apr 28, Entertaining look at the world of backup singers, "20 Feet From Stardom" is a treat. The best moments are when the performers' faces are in full frame as they listen to their old recording - the memories flying in their minds.
The documentary touches on the highs and the lows of the music business for these performers and never fails to entertain. The only issue with "Stardom" is how it jumps from interview to interview leaving very little time for facts to sink in and to settle - you get to know the major players but the minor players that are extensively interviews aren't given much chance to connect. Yet "20 Feet From Stardom" proves to be an in-tune documentary that proudly wears its heart on its sleeve.
Tony G Super Reviewer. Feb 26, Following the lives of background singers of famous artists from the past, "20 Feet From Stardom" is a very inspirational documentary that tells you that whatever your dreams may be, nothing is impossible and you always have to start somewhere, even if that somewhere seems to be getting you nowhere.
Sure, the film does not have much of a linear story to follow, but it is more of a feel-good series of stories that drives this pictures to be loved by all. I did not love watching this film as some probably will, but I really really enjoyed it.
This film gives me motivation to continue pursuing my passion and not to accept just any job forever. This is a very well-made documentary. A great contender for the Oscars. KJ P Super Reviewer. See all Audience reviews. There are no approved quotes yet for this movie. Best Horror Movies. Worst Superhero Movies. Best Netflix Series and Shows. Go back. More trailers. Dexter: New Blood: Season 1. The Shrink Next Door: Season 1.
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