Mistaken for Strangers (2014)

TOMATOMETER

91%

87%

AUDIENCE SCORE

85%

Critic Consensus: A suitably complicated look at fraternal bonds, Mistaken for Strangers offers more depth and insight than the usual tour documentary.

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Movie Info

Hailed by Michael Moore as "one of the best documentaries about a band that I've ever seen" and by Pitchfork as "the funniest, most meta music movie since SPINAL TAP," MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS is a truly hilarious and touching film about two brothers, Matt and Tom Berninger. Matt, the lead singer of the critically acclaimed rock band The National, finally finds himself flush with success. His younger brother Tom is a loveable slacker - a filmmaker and metal-head still living with his parents in Cincinnati. On the eve of The National's biggest tour to date, Matt invites Tom to work for the band as a roadie, unaware of Tom's plan to film the entire adventure. What starts as a rock documentary quickly becomes a crowd-pleasing journey about family, ambition, and the creative process. (c) American Mary
Rating:
G
Genre:
Comedy , Documentary , Musical & Performing Arts
Directed By:
Tom Berninger
Written By:
Tom Berninger
In Theaters:
 limited
Runtime:
Studio:
Abramorama Entertainment

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Cast

Barack Obama
Aaron Dessner
Bryan Devendorf
Bryce Dessner
Matt Berninger
Scott Devendorf
The National
Tom Berninger
Carin Besser
Brandon Reid
Isla Berninger
Paul Berninger
Nancy Berninger
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Critic Reviews for Mistaken for Strangers

All Critics (58) | Top Critics (15)

The best thing about Mistaken for Strangers, a new documentary about the band the National, is that you don't have to be a fan to enjoy it.

Full Review… | April 4, 2014
Washington Post
Top Critic

The finest rock doc since Anvil: The Story of Anvil.

Full Review… | April 4, 2014
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic

Very "meta," very funny and very, very touching.

Full Review… | April 3, 2014
Toronto Star
Top Critic

For all their obvious differences, the bond between affable Tom and laser-intense Matt reveals itself in ways both subtle and profound.

Full Review… | April 3, 2014
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic

Alternately hilarious, cringe-inducing, inspiring, depressing, stupid and profoundly intelligent.

Full Review… | April 2, 2014
Associated Press
Top Critic

You don't have to be a fan of the band to be touched by these disparate souls. It does help if you have endured or been either version of these brothers-black sheep or golden child.

Full Review… | March 27, 2014
RogerEbert.com
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (58)

Audience Reviews for Mistaken for Strangers

½

A captivating rock-doc that begins rather clumsy but later grows to become a surprisingly revealing portrait of a man who has always felt diminished compared to his successful brother - who happens to be the lead singer of a fantastic indie rock band of worldwide reputation.

Carlos Magalhães
Carlos Magalhães

Super Reviewer

One of those films I almost forgot I saw, but was extremely glad just now I found the title as the subject matter - a filmmaker brother (not a great one, but trying) follows around his up-n-coming brother musician while he's promoting a new album and playing concerts. Funny, affecting, and honest on all sides. charmingly done

Jack Gattanella
Jack Gattanella

I'm not even really familiar with The National, but I loved this movie. Tom and Matt are like 2 sides of one person. We all want to be like Matt but we're much closer to Tom. This was a disarmingly human movie that will make your heart explode.

Harrison W
Harrison W
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