Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing (2006)

Wow! What a bizarre film! Unfortunately the few funny moments there were were quite overshadowed by it's completely weird and random vibe throughout.

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, and Martie Maguire are an American country group. It's 2003 London. The group had just sang the anthem at the Superbowl and reaching new highs. The American government is rallying to invade Iraq. At the concert, Natalie utters her anti-war message, "And we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." This sets off a fire storm back at home. The girls continue their overseas tour, slow to realize the power of her off-handed jokey comment. With boycotts and audience revolt, their sales plummet and there's even a death threat. In 2005, the girls record their new album. They go on tour trying to rediscover their audience but they're not ready to make nice.This is a compelling story and not a simple political diatribe. It has the overarching political story of the Iraq war but it is very much a personal story of the three ladies. If anything, it would be more compelling to have them talk it out during the heat of the incident. Sometimes, it does feel like they are holding back their toughest arguments behind closed door. Although, I have no insights into their relationship other than what's on the screen. There is one emotional scene at the end which answers part of that question. There may be nothing there and therefore nothing to show. There's also a year or so in between the tours where Emily and Martie seem more interested in their families. A deeper documentary could have dug harder into their mindsets.

Frequently advertised as a documentary about freedom of speech and its cost on business, "Shut Up & Sing" is more just an in-depth look at the Dixie Chicks, a country music band from Texas.During a concert at an anti-war demonstration in London, singer Natalie Maines voices her disapproval of going to war and says "I am ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas". I noticed a few interesting things during the beginning of this documentary. In particular, that it took days before there was any ruffle in the States over this. A few London papers commented on it in articles about the concert but no concerned American picked up on it then. A few days later the Associated Press had one sentence with her quote, and then it started appearing on American conservative-right talk shows. Things for the band went straight down-hill after that."Shut Up & Sing" is a pretty good documentary. It has an interesting subject matter and they actually got some great clips and video footage. But I don't think it's as good as it could have been. I think the film-makers had an opportunity to further examine why certain talk shows thought it was necessary to try to destroy a band over a comment about the President, but no mention that they were playing at an anti-war demonstration in the first place. I think there is a lot more behind Natalie's desire to make a statement against the war and the President and if they showed me any of that there could have been more arguments against calling her ignorant.I had known about the single "Not Ready to Make Nice" and appreciated them putting that voice in their music. I am much more impressed now that I know all of the songs on that album relate to the incident. "Shut Up & Sing" has made me a new fan of the Dixie Chicks.

This is the best music documentary I've seen in years! I was aware of Dixie Chicks' music before and I'd heard about the whole Bush remark controversy, but seeing it from the band's point of view was truly shocking. It's scary how public and industry pressure can choke ones freedom of speech, so seemingly indispensable in American society. Watching how the band pull through it all with perseverance and sense of humor without giving in to abuse and threats is truly inspirational. Natalie, Emily and Martie simply made the best thing they could've done, they made the best music they can and stuck together despite the turmoil. Kudos to the filmmakers for tackling such a sensitive topic with grace and real emotions. For anyone who loves music an absolute MUST SEE!

I'm not going to say that it's one of the most excellent movies ever made or that it's a total disaster either, because it's neither of those things. If there is one thing that this film stands out for the most, it is the right of the individual. Natalie really shouldn't have apologized for what she said, but she probably did it because of the anticipated backlash. This doesn't make her a bad person though, nobody likes to have horrible things thrown their way.Although, the funny thing is, Natalie said something just about Bush and not about any of his compatriots. If Bush wanted to say something badly about Natalie himself, he could've. Instead, all of his little supporters jumped on Natalie's case for him. And he just stood back and said that they shouldn't be upset if people don't support them anymore. It's such a shame that people at the time that Natalie said what she said thought and acted like an insult of the president was an insult of the whole country. I think that idea is one of those things that this film is trying to put to rest.One part of the film that really caught my attention was when that guy sent the ladies that letter which stated that Natalie was going to die at the Dallas, TX concert. Natalie, when she was shown a picture of the guy, said "He's cute," and both I and a family member could tell that the wheels were turning in her head. As if she were trying to figure him out, or something. Anyway the documentary itself offered an interesting look into the world of the sisters, and how the experiences affected them personally. It is worth a viewing or two.