Standing In The Shadows of Motown (2002)
Average Rating: 7.5/10
Reviews Counted: 89
Fresh: 82 | Rotten: 7
A toe-tapping tribute to the band that gave Motown its sound.
Average Rating: 7.5/10
Critic Reviews: 28
Fresh: 26 | Rotten: 2
A toe-tapping tribute to the band that gave Motown its sound.
liked it
Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 3,077
Movie Info
Based on the book of the same name by Allan Slutsky, Standing in the Shadows of Motown is a historical tribute to the unsung heroes responsible for some of the greatest hits of pop music. Part documentary and part concert performance, this film is an introduction to the intriguing personas of the Hitsville studio band originally assembled by Berry Gordy in 1959. Over 40 years later, the remaining members reunited in their home base of Detroit, MI, to tell their stories, remember their departed
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Andre Braugher
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All Critics (100) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (82) | Rotten (7) | DVD (25)
There have been better documentaries to come out this year, but none can touch this one for unadulterated pleasure.
I promise, you'll never listen to a Motown classic in the same way ever again.
The documentary stumbles where it could have soared.
Try as you might to resist, if you've got a place in your heart for Smokey Robinson, this movie will worm its way there.
You may not end up dancing in the street, but don't be surprised if you cut a step or two in the parking lot.
Top CriticThe movie lets us realize this Sound, still so alive and vibrant today, was created by flesh-and-blood people, each of whom has a compelling story to tell.
may not be the most creative of documentaries, but it's certainly an essential one that all music lovers should see and hear
Even after decades of performing the same songs, the energy never flags.
The brothers missed out on glory back in the day, but I can't help but think that this cinematic labour of love (fourteen years in the making) will make these guys finally feel what they were missing.
The feel-good documentary of the year, featuring the irresistible 1960s music that made Detroit famous.
The cheap and easy recycling of old myths and superficial treatment given the significant social milieu of the time is startling.
...guaranteed to turn Motown neophytes into fans.
An immensely entertaining look at some of the unsung heroes of 20th century pop music.
Like some of the poppier Hitsville U.S.A. songs, the film is a little too slick and a little too warm-and-fuzzy... but it is always engrossing and enjoyable...
Unsung heroes of some of pop music's finest moments get to stand up and be counted in this documentary/concert/tribute.
The combination of restored history, great music and rich anecdotes make Standing in the Shadows sublime entertainment.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown takes one of the great unknown stories in music history and translates it to the screen in the blandest way possible.
Fans of all types of popular music will find it irreplaceable.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown is the best kind of documentary, one that makes a depleted yesterday feel very much like a brand-new tomorrow.
If you love the music, and I do, its hard to imagine having more fun watching a documentary ...
...the music - the sweet soul music - is national treasure.
The Funk Brothers seem to have hardly missed a beat.
The real star of this movie is the music. It makes you want to get up and dance in the aisles.
A loving tribute to the forgotten legends of Motown.
If anything, the film is doing something of a public service -- shedding light on a group of extremely talented musicians who might otherwise go unnoticed and underappreciated by music fans.
It may seem long at 110 minutes if you're not a fan, because it includes segments of 12 songs at a reunion concert.
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Foreign Titles
- Motown : la véritable histoire (FR)







