STORYLINE: 70+ artists joined family and fans at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium in Oct 2022 for two nights, celebrating John Prine’s life and music. ( IMDb)

    Concert films have so much more potential, then just being away to hear artists perform their music, from the comfort of the local multiplex.  Woodstock (1970) also took viewers behind the scenes of the legendary event.  This Is It (2009) showed fans all the work that the talented Michael Jackson put into his concert tours.  Amazing Grace (2018), my favorite concert film, showcases the hard work of Aretha Franklin. In the new feature You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine, artists come together to pay their respects, and remember the legendary performer, by putting together a tribute concert of his songs. 

   The concept of this motion picture seems like a pure fluff movie.  The reason it seems that way is because it is a pure fluff movie.  The thing about You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine is that the film is an appreciation of its subject matter, not just a ‘hey, look how great he is’ kind of movie.  Everyone featured in the film had a genuine love for John Prine, and his music.

    The best parts of the film was when actual footage of John Prine performing the same song that was being featured/performed by a fellow artist.  This bit was chiefly in the begging of the film, and limited to a handful of performances. I was hoping it was going to be done consistently throughout the feature, as the artists talked about why they selected the songs they were performing. 

   Going into the documentary I was unfamiliar with John Prine’s music.  There were one or two songs I recognized during the show.  I enjoyed the music, didn’t love it.

   I don’t always love fluff films, but I thought this one wasn’t half bad.  I am glad I ventured out to catch this one in the theater.

    Until next time I will see you at the movies!