Great World of Sound

2006
Directed By: Craig Zobel
Written By: Craig Zobel
Co-Writer: George Smith

Cast:
Martin - Pat Healy
Clarence - Kene Holiday
Layton - Robert Longstreet
Shank - John Baker
Pam - Rebecca Mader
Gloria - Tricia Paolucio
There are two types of people in the world: Those who want to be stars and those who want to make money off of those people. This may be a gross generalization of course but reflecting on Great World of Sound I couldn't help but feel that way. The movie follows two upcoming talent scouts (producers) working for Great World of Sound Recordings. Martin (Pat Healy) is an unasuming man who is devoted to his girlfriend and a self proclaimed "idea" man (his girlfriend derives much of her inspiration from he, so he says). His partner, Clarence, a father of six children is much less afraid to say what is on his mind.
They are both soon sent out on the road to gather talent. Whether that talent is good or bad, they try to make them put money up front as "assurance" that they are genuinly interested in making a record. Despite being sent to cheesy hotels where they interview the candidates in their room, they make off pretty good to begin with. There are quite a few bad singers and not many good ones. Clarence does a fantastic job of buttering them up and making them believe they actually do have talent. But then again Clarence doesn't have much of a choice. He has a family to feed. On the other hand we see Martin's morality starting to weigh heavy on him. A little girl from a poor background is led to believe that she has a chance with a song that Frank Sinatra himself couldn't turn around.
He knows that not everyone will get a chance to get a make a record even though they put their money in like everyone else. Like their boss points out, you wouldn't be able to afford college if colleges accepted only the best and brightest students - there would be far too few. It doesn't sound fair but it is true.
The cinematography and acting in this Film I thought was mediocre, but what I liked best was the story and oddly enough the ending. It seemed very sad and yet very true and thus real at the same time.
2 1/2 Stars