Review of Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing (2006) by Briana W — 28 Jul 2007

One of the most impressive aspects of this film is its decided stance as a thinly-veiled political film (thoughts told through the lens of popular musicians): it is pro-Dixie Chicks and pulls few punches in defending the group's ideal.

Whether or not a viewer agrees or disagrees with the position taken by the band on the episode in London that started the story that the film is based around actually does matter. Those who agree with the perspective of the band will find this film inspiring and refreshing while critics of that same perspective will surely call this piece propagandistic in the worst way.

Again, make no mistake: this movie has a story to tell and it's being told from the band's side. That being said, the story is told rather compellingly, such that even casual observers (read: non-fans or non-Country music listeners) can feel engaged in the event as it's chronicled.

Concert footage, news clips and behind-the-scenes footage are combined effectively into smaller episodes that jump between past and then-present storylines. For the most part, played straightforward as a documentary, this film is quite watchable and entertaining.

Personalities shine and are strongly charming throughout. The most "fair and balanced" thing about it is that it makes no claim to be fair, nor balanced.