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Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing
The Weinstein Company


7.8

based on 27 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 34 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

Harlan County, USA

MUSIC:

MPAA RATING: R for language

Starring Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, Martie Maguire, Rick Rubin, George W. Bush, and Simon Renshaw

At a time when the United States is fighting for democracy and freedom in another country, this documentary raises questions about our own right to freedom of speech and the negative consequences it sometimes has. (The Weinstein Company)

GENRE(S):	Documentary
DIRECTED BY:	Barbara Kopple Cecilia Peck
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: February 20, 2007 Theatrical: October 27, 2006
RUNNING TIME:	99 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	USA

Also known as "Shut Up and Sing"

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

San Francisco Chronicle Joel Selvin

Documentary filmmakers pray for something to happen to their subjects when the cameras are rolling, and two-time Academy Award-winning documentarian Kopple struck gold when Maines told a crowd on the opening night of the band's first European tour that she was "ashamed" that President Bush was from Texas.

100

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

The Dixie Chicks may never regain their prolonged eminence on the country charts. However, the art and entertainment value of this movie (and of their latest album) is off the charts in the best way.

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

The film may be subtitled "Shut Up & Sing," but you can't sing with your mouth closed.

TV Guide Angel Cohn

While it's unlikely that her film will sway former fans who swore off the band for political reasons, that seems beside the point.

Rolling Stone Peter Travers

For three years, the camera focuses on the Chicks as wives, mothers, entertainers and political flash points. Their fight to stay uncompromised is inspiring.

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

A seriously entertaining highlight of the fall season.

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

The documentary shows what a tight-knit group the Chicks are.

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck's film is a fascinating look at the intersection of commerce, celebrity, and controversy.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

Through it all, Natalie Maines' decision to shirk humility, to stick by her guns, to the point that the group returns to that London concert venue in 2006 and she utters the same joke again, becomes a feisty and inspiring act of something there is only one word for: patriotism.

New York Magazine David Edelstein

What a mind-bending odyssey ensues--a tale of good old-fashioned American free expression at war with good old-fashioned American capitalism.

Newsweek David Ansen

The filmmakers are clearly in awe of the Chicks' fighting spirit. If you think Maines's original Bush remark was disrespectful, wait till you hear what she calls him here. Maines is not ready to make nice, and neither is this riveting documentary.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

The movie endorses the liberal conception of the Chicks as free-speech heroes, which doesn't quite wash: Maines shot her mouth off to a receptive overseas crowd, then issued an apology as soon as the backlash began back home.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Though the advertising plays up the film's Bush-bashing angle, it gives a false impression. This is really more of a backstage drama.

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

The fact that you might emerge from the theater eager to give their albums a listen is a testament to how effective this lively and stirring movie about freedom of speech really is.

Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman

Most importantly, Shut Up & Sing is about what happens in the music industry to people who won't.

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen

Both the Chicks and this doc are left to deal with the aftermath as best they can. The film chooses to pad with an occasional over-reliance on cutesy filler -- a pregnant Emily having an ultra-sound, giving birth, recuperating at her beloved ranch away from it all.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin

Maines' big mouth and winning candor got her into trouble, but Shut Up & Sing suffers from filmmakers who are intent on playing it safe.

USA Today Claudia Puig

While there is a vague hint of a vanity project in a few extraneous scenes, directors Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck have fashioned a compelling and rousing film that will not only appeal to Chicks fans, but make fans of those who weren't before.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

As insightful as it is entertaining.

New York Post Lou Lumenick

Sharper and far more entertaining than most political documentaries.

The New York Times Stephen Holden

The movie offers a revealing case study of the relationship between politics, celebrity and the media in today’s polarized social climate.

LA Weekly Ella Taylor

Kopple and Peck went on and off the road with the band for the three years of waffling, agonizing and defiance in between Maines’ mouth-offs.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

One of the excellent attributes of Shut Up & Sing is that it lets the cards fall where they may and really doesn't try to spin the Chicks themselves. It's quite possible, then, to watch the film and come to the conclusion that Maines has a big mouth. Spectacularly talented, the young singer is also a spectacular blowhard.

Variety Phil Gallo

It's the rare thorough documentary on a musical act whose dilemmas are faced in the here and now, one that should win over fans of the Chicks on the fence and of music docus and perhaps create a little cultural stir as well.

Wall Street Journal Joanne Kaufman

Sympathetic, engaging documentary.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Bill White

An inspiring story of pluck, but its politics fall flat.

Village Voice Luke Y. Thompson

The movie's not quite the Bush bashfest its publicity might lead you to believe; it's closer to the Metallica doc "Some Kind of Monster" than to "Fahrenheit 9/11."

The average user rating for this movie is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 34 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Will. gave it a0:
Well, the problem here is this: Maines is disingenuous. She apologizes for her behavior when the entirety of society decries her behavior -- yet retracts her apology when the majority agree with her. You know what? That's the hallmark of someone without the spine to stand on their own. Honestly, her politics are incidental. I may aree with her on paper...but the woman is far from an intellectual. She's disgusting in her weakness as an individual.

Martin S. gave it a7:
I'll give them a 10 for courage but a 5 for the actual music. Anybody that believes being an American means blindly following the leader just doesn't get it. If now isn't the time to speak out then there will never be a time.

April R. gave it a10:
I watched this film with a friend of mine who lacked much of an opinion on the Chicks one way or the other-once it was over she was talking about buying all their albums and wanting to see them in concert! This film is a testament to the ignorance and mob mentality that rules so much of our society. Ask most people who are "Anti-chicks" and they probably couldn't even tell you exactly why. I often hear "they don't support the troops", "they are unpatriotic"-none of which, of course, is true. I found this film to be very educational and emotional-making me laugh and even cry towards the end at the bond between these gals. In a world that lacks individual thought and thrives on conformity, I am reminded of why the founding father created the electoral college-they didn't believe in the ability of the general American public to make informed and intelligent voting decisions-this film shows many fine examples why. It tells a sad truth about our society while simultaneously giving us hope that not everyone will strive to conform at the cost of personal liberties; one of the most important of which is the freedom of speech; for which NO ONE deserves death threats and so much ignorantly inspired hate. All in all a brilliant piece of work!

Anthony P gave it a10:
This is documentary film making at its best. Prior to the 2003 ‘incident’ all I knew about the Dixie Chicks was that they were a talented group with a large following of mainly country music lovers. This film illustrate that these ladies are not only talented and charismatic but highly principled as well. They could have chosen to sell out and jump on the bandwagon of hypocrisy and pseudo-patriotism that many other country singers displayed however they took the high road and held their ground. Watching them go thorough some very trying times one can only have admiration for them, their manager and their families. If you were not a Dixie Chicks fan prior to seeing this, you’ll be one by the end of the film. This documentary is like a breath of air and I commend Kopple and Peck for making such and entertaining and powerful film. We are reminded that even though corporate America and its herd mentality influences the weak-minded to issue death-threats and make complete idiots of themselves there are still real Americans out there like Natalie, Martie and Emily. In addition the music mix through the documentary is icing on the cake. Outstanding work!

Ariel G gave it a10:
At first I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this. I'm a big fan of their music, but I was never a fan of the music documentary genre as a whole, so I proceeded very carefully. I must say this documentary proved me wrong, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We get to spend a lot of time with the Dixie Chicks, almost like a day-in-the-life, watching them perform on stage, working in the studio, spending time with their spouses and children (Marty's twins during Halloween were especially cute!), seeing their reaction to being despised by so-called 'patriots' - coincidentally the real patriots, from when that term originated from, always defended free speech, and never tried to quash it. It's one of the hallmarks of being a true patriot. Through this documentary, we get to experience what they're experiencing, warts and all. I also liked just watching them in the studio, crafting their songs. It was such a joy to watch. And Natalie was hilarious in all her scenes, a natural extrovert. The movie was very satisfying, and it left me feeling as if I had gotten to know to know the Chicks so well, as well as gaining a greater appreciation for their music. This documentary will likely turn you into a fan. The five Grammy awards the girls received this year is not only a vindication for them, but also a great triumph and acknowledgment of their talent. Highly recommended!

Dave N. gave it a10:
Good for you! You girls are American heroes! These girls have done something more important than even music. They stood up for what they believe in, and I think they should be very proud of that. It's this kind of message that shows the world that there are some truly great people in the US, and that some Americans actually do exercise their freedom to have their own opinion! It's kind of funny that when Natalie made her statement, it was sort of off the cuff, and didn't really bear that much weight. She probably didn't like the idea of her country invading another, but it didn't appear that she was really making a political statement, and even laughed it off after saying it. It really did appear that it was to get the crowd cheering. I'm certain that nothing later entrenched her opinion so deep as much as fellow Americans advocating the stagnation of freedom of expression. If I were her, I'd be pissed too! I'm not a country or western music fan, but I support these girls, and I'll definitely consider going to one of their shows! The Dixie Chicks should be very proud of themselves, and the rest of America should be proud of them too!

John A. gave it a10:
The movie, while made in a matter of fact style, evokes such powerful, visceral feelings - political and otherwise - that viewers can't even seem to agree on what's in the movie. For example, many who liked the movie cited, as one reason, the fact that there's so much Dixie Chicks music in it; others who disliked the movie complained that there wasn't even much music in it. Go figure. I'm completely on the side of those who loved it.

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing The Weinstein Company

Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing
The Weinstein Company