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Standing In The Shadows of Motown (2002)

tomatometer

92

Average Rating: 7.5/10
Reviews Counted: 89
Fresh: 82 | Rotten: 7

A toe-tapping tribute to the band that gave Motown its sound.

93

Average Rating: 7.5/10
Critic Reviews: 28
Fresh: 26 | Rotten: 2

A toe-tapping tribute to the band that gave Motown its sound.

audience

87

liked it
Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 3,077

My Rating

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

Apr 22, 2003

$1.2M

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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.

December 19, 2002
Orlando Sentinel
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I promise, you'll never listen to a Motown classic in the same way ever again.

November 29, 2002
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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The documentary stumbles where it could have soared.

November 28, 2002
Arizona Republic
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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.

November 22, 2002 Full Review Source: Toronto Star
Toronto Star
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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.

November 22, 2002 Full Review Source: Miami Herald
Miami Herald
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The 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.

November 22, 2002 Full Review Source: Denver Post
Denver Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

may not be the most creative of documentaries, but it's certainly an essential one that all music lovers should see and hear

January 2, 2012 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews

Even after decades of performing the same songs, the energy never flags.

August 22, 2008 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid
Combustible Celluloid

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.

June 21, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Scouts
Film Scouts

The feel-good documentary of the year, featuring the irresistible 1960s music that made Detroit famous.

February 16, 2004 Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly

The cheap and easy recycling of old myths and superficial treatment given the significant social milieu of the time is startling.

August 31, 2003 Full Review Source: Apollo Guide
Apollo Guide

...guaranteed to turn Motown neophytes into fans.

August 1, 2003 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews
Reel Film Reviews

An immensely entertaining look at some of the unsung heroes of 20th century pop music.

March 18, 2003 Full Review

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...

March 17, 2003
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Unsung heroes of some of pop music's finest moments get to stand up and be counted in this documentary/concert/tribute.

February 11, 2003 Full Review Source: Netflix
Netflix

The combination of restored history, great music and rich anecdotes make Standing in the Shadows sublime entertainment.

January 24, 2003
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

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.

January 19, 2003
Vue Weekly (Edmonton, Canada)

Fans of all types of popular music will find it irreplaceable.

January 11, 2003 Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com
EricDSnider.com

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.

January 8, 2003 Full Review Source: Dallas Observer
Dallas Observer

If you love the music, and I do, its hard to imagine having more fun watching a documentary ...

January 7, 2003 Full Review Source: Hot Button
Hot Button

...the music - the sweet soul music - is national treasure.

January 3, 2003 Full Review
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The Funk Brothers seem to have hardly missed a beat.

December 27, 2002
Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com

The real star of this movie is the music. It makes you want to get up and dance in the aisles.

December 24, 2002 Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope
Laramie Movie Scope

A loving tribute to the forgotten legends of Motown.

December 24, 2002 Full Review Source: Mark Reviews Movies
Mark Reviews Movies

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.

December 20, 2002 Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

It may seem long at 110 minutes if you're not a fan, because it includes segments of 12 songs at a reunion concert.

December 20, 2002 Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer
Charlotte Observer

Audience Reviews for Standing In The Shadows of Motown

Great: hearing the original Motown musicians play together and tell stories. Not great: fleeting-popularity guest singers like Joan Osborne, Ben Harper, Meshell Ndegeocello and Gerald Levert (not to mention a lot of ugly perms) that make the film seem badly dated just 10 years later. The occasional use of acted recreations is another dubious -- and unnecessary -- choice.
June 10, 2012
Eric Broome

Super Reviewer

A great exploration of the performers who don't get the measure of credit that they should - the background players. This is the story of those who can be heard on the hits but are lost in the credits. Very gifted and talented. I'm glad their story is told.
October 19, 2012
John Ballantine

Super Reviewer

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Foreign Titles

  • Motown : la véritable histoire (FR)
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