Richard and Robert Sherman are two remarkable songwriters who so excelled at writing smash hit songs for family musical that they became the only in-house composers that the Walt Disney Studios ever hired. They were responsible for all the sugary hits in classic children movies such as ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘The Jungle Book’, ‘The Parent Trap’, ‘Bedknobs & Broomsticks’ etc …along the way picking up two Academy Awards and a Grammy. Yet behind this successful working partnership that spanned over 50 years that specialized in producing such overly-happy songs, the two brothers so disliked each other that they didn’t socialize for over 40 years.
Cousins Gregory and Jeff Sherman, sons of Richard & Robert eventually met a rare function where both families were studiously avoiding each other and they got together for the very first time to see if they could get to the bottom of the feud. This engaging movie of their dysfunctional family is the result. And although we never really quite get to know exactly why the brothers ended up like this, it is a fascinating account of an immensely rich and successful career/life. Plus it also gives a good insight into the workings of the Disney Studios back in their heyday.
R.T.V. This type of documentary that exposes the flaws of seemingly successful relationships is one of my very favourite movie genres. You could generously call it my innate desire to get to know and understand people’s psyche …. or just a mere excuse to be real nosey. Either way although this one is not quite up there with my gold-standard favorites such as ‘Crazy Love’, ’31 Birch St’ and ‘Capturing The Friedman’s’ it is immensely watchable and a great view.
Labels: 2011, biography, documentary
