Bandwagon

Bandwagon - 1996

We've seen and enjoyed Kevin Corrigan in a number of supporting roles (Buffalo 66, Slums of Beverly Hills, Trees Lounge) through the years. In Bandwagon he plays Wynn, a cynical hippie guitar player. This witty, rambunctious band road trip movie becomes my favorite Corrigan performance.

The four band members are embarking on the transition from garage band to big business band. This movie formula was done respectably by Tom Hanks in 1996's That Thing You Do. That movie had more recognizable actors in it - but don't let that stop you from enjoying this superior film. When these four completely different personalities get together it is simply for the love of music. They all come off as real and honest. The themes are loneliness, friendship, commercialism.

The music in the movie is simply brilliant. If you listen to XM Cafe or XMU on your satellite radio you'll feel at home. The lead singer, Tony (played by Lee Holmes) is so shy and self conscious he can't face the audience when he sings. But what he writes is from the heart and very catchy. You just know that the girl he's writing about just can't share the same infatuation that he does.

Writer and director John Schultz has given us a fascinating look into the challenges of keeping a band together when so many different personalities are trying to rip it apart. The movie is funny, smart, bright and damn enjoyable to watch.

When you're watching this movie, imagine that most of the big name artists you like today started out very much like this band. The Circus Monkeys are a band that I would listen to - were they real.

This movie made my Top 100 Movie List.

Research the movie on Amazon here.

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