Great World Of Sound

Every since there were recordings there were people who wanted to be on them. For as long as records were used to distribute music young singers and musicians dreamt about being a recording star. These wide eye young people would buy the records of their favorite, established stars and practice night and day in front of their mirrors hoping for that big chance. Now tens of thousands line up for shows like ‘American Idol’ praying for their talent to be recognized. Such a great sea of hopes and dreams are the prefect feeding ground for the more unscrupulous out there who prey on the young dreamers. They offer to make you a star but first you have to buy something to get you started. At the end of it the only dreams that are fulfilled are the ones fro money on the part of the con men running the game on their victims. The young people have not only been separated from their life savings but their hopes as well. The film by Craig Zobel ‘Great World of Sound’ looks at the men behind these schemes and how they talk unsuspecting people into parting with their hard earned money for little more than smoke and mirrors.

This is a quirky movie that all too many in the audience can identify with. Hopefully few will have actually been deceived as the victims in this film but we all can understand the emotions they had which lead to them being open to the con. Most people have at one time or another in their lives wanted to be rich and famous. For those with even a modicum of talent, either real or imagined, they are certain that this will be their ticket to the top. Sitting in the comfort of our living rooms watching this movie you might wonder how these people could allow themselves to be duped like this. The answer is easy; hope springs eternal. From the beginning of time there have been men like those depicted here who are expert at deception. They know the right words to stroke the egos of their prey. Everything they do is calculated and practiced to the point where the hapless victims don’t stand a chance. These men are the ultimate salesmen but instead of having a tangible product for sale they sell the illusion of hope. What Zobel brings to the table with this film is a story of despair. The film is a strong and extremely well done drama that will pull you in. he stands on the shoulders of great writers like Arthur Miller and David Mamet and while not in their league does make a worthy contribution to the genre. He takes a fundamentally cynical story and infuses it with genuine human pathos. Magnolia Home Entertainment has now added this film to their DVD catalogue. They are well known as one of the better sources of independent films and this one is a worth while addition.

The first shot of the film provides the metaphor for its theme. A man takes out a few old record albums. He places them on some old sheets of newspaper and spray paints them gold. They will be used as props in the up coming scam. They will prove to the intended victims that ‘the Great World of Sound’, the name of the front company, has had clients with successful sales. The Metaphor is simple. Like the painted records what the GWS offers is nothing of any value or substance. We switch to a nondescript man, Martin (Pat Healy) who is unemployed and interviewing for a job. His resume includes several jobs at radio stations, mostly as a behind the scenes engineer. He finds out that the boss behind the operation is Shank (John Baker) and he wants the company to hit the ground running. While the man conducting the interview, Layton (Robert Longstreet), can’t say yes to Martin right now he invites him to a seminar to meet with Shank. Unfortunately one potentially useful though did not cross Martin’s mind here. It is not a good idea to take a job working for a man named after prison slang for a stabbing. Back at home Martin discusses the interview with his live in girlfriend, Pam (Rebecca Mader), an artist. Martin winds up getting the job as a record producer even though nothing in his previous experience would validate that position. He is sent off with Clarence (Kene Holliday) to travel around the south looking for musical talent. What they actual do is place cheap ads in local papers advertising for singers. When a person answers the ad they are told they are the next hot thing. As a measure of good faith they are asked to spend $3,000 to produce a demo record that GWS can use to promote them to radio stations. Nothing ever comes of this investment and the men move on to the next town. Shank ever cons Martin with a line that the money they take from those without talent will help them bankroll a real talent down the line.

Clarence is the opposite of Martin in almost every way. While Martin is quite and shy Clarence is outgoing, even loud. The two men share only one very important thing, they need the job. Clarence has spent a few years on the streets of Huston and is happy just to have a paycheck. Martin, however, truly believes that GWS will eventually help some struggling young artist. He continues on, business as usual until he meets up with one young hopeful with genuine talent. He is so impressed with her audition that he wants to invest his own money in her career.

It must have been difficult for writer-director Craig Zobel to decide on a genre for this film. In the end it would fall into the hybrid of comedy-drama slanting a bit more towards comedy. The humor here is based on the often terrible auditions that comprise much of the film. It is better than the first episodes of any ‘American Idol’ Season but without the acerbic comments by Simon. Instead praise is dolled out to any and all who answer the ad. Zobel chose an interesting way to film these auditions. For the most part they are real people answering ads filmed with a hidden camera. Of course the correct legal paperwork was obtained by everyone on screen. This is the freshman work for Zobel and it has to be said that this man holds incredible promise. There is nothing in this movie that would indicate a first feature film. The direction is tight and well paced. What is at the heart of the story is the arc Martin takes. In many ways he is as much a victim as the singers who lose their money. Martin was just as duped by Shank as they were. He feels that GWS is real. At least he needs to believe that to get through his day. Shank deceives his workers and gets them to play the big con on the hopeful singers. This film works because it is about self delusion. The singers don’t seem to notice the broken down motel rooms used for the auditions, they are blinded by the slim potential that this is for real. Martin and to some extent Clarence hope that a real talent will be helped but they allow themselves to be fooled because of the overwhelming need for a paycheck. There is a reality here that is captivating and makes the film work.

Once again thanks must be extended to Magnolia for releases like this. Most people would never have a chance to hear about let alone see this film. Even if you are not a big fan of the Indy movie this film is one that you will enjoy.

Posted 01/14/08