Rating: 
Summary: Good movie
Review: Good movie, superb music and I'm glad to find a story that doesn't portray all Appalachian people as ignorant.The setting of mountains of North Carolina were beautiful. The movie could have done away with the homosexual subplot and focused more on the professor's "songcatching."
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful music, anachronistic plot twists
Review: Watching "Songcatcher" one can't help being taken by the great presentation of music and the scenery. Emmy Rossum gives an especially good performance and my family and I were surprised to find that she was not from Appalachia, and more than a bit bemused to find that she is actually a classically trained singer from New York, a testament to her talent and versatility indeed. Aidan Quinn also gives a decent performance but on the whole the film never allows the actors to fully get into character and one comes away from many scenes feeling as though they were flat and contrived. One exception to this is Pat Carroll who very much fills her role as Viney Butler (a character that had me wondering if she was loosely based upon the real life Viney Norton). The appearance of Taj Mahal was also interesting and very enjoyable. In contrast to other reviewers I did not find the performance of Janet McTeer to be that good. In fact it seemed forced, as did many of the plot elements in the film. There is no doubt that the sub-plot between Elna and Harriet is anachronistic and meant as a modern morality play. This element simply doesn't fit well with the remainder of the film and seems "tacked on" to make a point. The best part of the film was the music so I would recommend renting the film and buying the soundtrack. I would also recommend the collection of Old Time music entitled "High Atmosphere" to anyone who wants to here more of this type of music.
Rating: 
Summary: part wonderful part big letdown
Review: this movie is so beautiful visually, and the "songcatcher's" story of capturing the music of the hills is a rewarding adventure. the crushing of men and the sweetness or strength and character of women is rather severe. the main "plot" of the story comes near the end, and is such a letdown from the beauty of the songcatcher story. my impression was not at ALL that this was a feministic, lesbian, oppression story. what a letdown. as if the women had to turn to each other because all the men were such pigs. this could have been such an exquisite movie if the overall plot had anything to do with the songcatching!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Story of Mountain Music
Review: I first saw this movie when it aired on HBO last year. When I saw it again this year, I had to purchase it for my collection. The acting by Janet McTeer and Aidan Quinn is superb. Aidan does an outstanding job and is very convincing as a mountain man who had a taste of the city and accordingly turned his back on it. I could have listened to the music from this movie for hours. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased the soundtrack of the movie - only thing is many of the people singing the music in the movie were not recorded, and many of the songs on the CD has today's top recording artists singing the music - that is the only disappointment. I would much rather listen to Iris Dement than Emmy Lou Harris as it is truer to the movie & the music of the wonderful mountain people.
Rating:
Summary: Music Lover's Delight
Review: This movie is filled with beautiful folk music from America's Appalachian region. I had never heard of it until the title caught my wife's eye at the video rental store. The story line may be a bit far fetched, however the movie is well worth seeing for the music alone. Because we loved the music so much and the DVD is cheaper than the VHS, we fianlly broke down and purchased a DVD player and the DVD version of this movie. We will watch (or listen to) it often.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Superb!
Review: This movie is a great movie. I loved, loved, loved it...and the cast was phenominal. Especially Aidan Quinn, whom does not get enough lead rolls. He is the best-looking man in the entertainment industry. The music is definetly worth owning.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't See It for the Plot
Review: Weak transitions and acting shouldn't deter you from seeing the movie for the wonderful music, scenery and story. Aiden Quinn's acting is improbable, the emotional leap Penleric makes and the throw-it-all-away for love denoument are to be overlooked. Otherwise it's a good movie and worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: For radical feminists only
Review: Interesting how the radicals pick and choose their traditions to "celebrate." This film highlights the hypocritical tendency amongst the separatist faction toward revisionist history. Purporting to embrace the Appalachian ballad tradition, this film nonetheless would have us believe that we owe everything to the women of the era, because the men were too busy drinking, bullying women, and burning schools down. If you are a straight male, you will be put off by this movie, and would be better served by buying a used copy of the soundtrack cd. Some of the songs on it still qualify as male-bashing, but the performances are top-notch.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing and enchanting
Review: This movie is absolutely enchanting! The story of Lily Penleric is a refreshing change from the typical, weak women that are often portrayed from that era. Her determination is inspiring. The other characters in the moutain community are endearing and well contrasted. Generally, this movie is a must-see!
Rating:
Summary: Songcatcher is a song filled fun movie!
Review: This movie has given me a greater appreciation for folk music. The music is wonderful! Oh, what soul goes into each rhyme and rhythm. The movie plot was pretty good but what I most enjoyed was the music. If you are a folk lover, or want to become one this is the movie for you!
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