Home of Rhett & Link fans - the Mythical Beasts!
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Here is the review I posted to Amazon this morning:
Filmmakers Rhett and Link take a simple search for their first grade teacher and create a heartwarming documentary where the people that they meet along their journey become as interesting as the journey itself. The film is intelligent and thought-provoking as the search for Ms. Locklear leads them to an awareness of the plight of the Lumbee Indians, a people looking for recognition from the government. Their journey takes them all across North Carolina and to Washington, DC as they follow the leads they are given about their long-lost teacher.
Throughout the hour-long film, I experienced a range of emotions, because instead of focusing on their journey, the filmmakers graciously allow those they encounter a chance to tell their own stories. They beautifully capture the humor amidst sadness that is a part of daily life. There are several laugh out loud moments throughout the film (like a male "pageant"), but those are coupled with the frustration and desperation of hitting several road blocks in their own search.
Clearly, those who know Rhett and Link as a comedy duo may be surprised by their depth and insight. The poignancy of this documentary itself is universal in its appeal, and the climax of the movie had me teary. This is a feel-good film that can be enjoyed by anyone who's ever entertained a curiosity about the fate of their favorite teacher, or maybe just anyone who enjoys a good story.
Now I know that the name "Locklear," is revered and respected in the Lumbee bloodline (making me wonder if Heather is from North Carolina).
Absolutely. A slice of Southern Americana, in fact.
Here is the review I posted to Amazon this morning:
Filmmakers Rhett and Link take a simple search for their first grade teacher and create a heartwarming documentary where the people that they meet along their journey become as interesting as the journey itself. The film is intelligent and thought-provoking as the search for Ms. Locklear leads them to an awareness of the plight of the Lumbee Indians, a people looking for recognition from the government. Their journey takes them all across North Carolina and to Washington, DC as they follow the leads they are given about their long-lost teacher.
Throughout the hour-long film, I experienced a range of emotions, because instead of focusing on their journey, the filmmakers graciously allow those they encounter a chance to tell their own stories. They beautifully capture the humor amidst sadness that is a part of daily life. There are several laugh out loud moments throughout the film (like a male "pageant"), but those are coupled with the frustration and desperation of hitting several road blocks in their own search.
Clearly, those who know Rhett and Link as a comedy duo may be surprised by their depth and insight. The poignancy of this documentary itself is universal in its appeal, and the climax of the movie had me teary. This is a feel-good film that can be enjoyed by anyone who's ever entertained a curiosity about the fate of their favorite teacher, or maybe just anyone who enjoys a good story.
As a fan of Rhett&Link, I know they became best friends when their first grade teacher, Ms. Locklear held them in from recess for writing profanity on their desks (they wrote "beep," and "blank.") I know their punishment was coloring unicorns, over which they bonded for life. I know they grew up to become international internetainment superforces with broad appeal across all demographics. I know they never defaced public property again. Based on that knowledge, I ordered my copy of "Looking for Ms. Locklear" expecting to find out a few more facts about their elementary school days and their life-long friendship. I did NOT expect to learn about the plight of North Carolina's Lumbee indians and their ongoing effort to gain federal recognition as an American Indian tribe. Now, I know the Lumbee are the largest unrecognized tribe in the USA. Now I know that the name "Locklear," is revered and respected in the Lumbee bloodline (making me wonder if Heather is from North Carolina). Now I know that the Lumbee have a rich culture, a number of memorable characters among them, a great deal of pride in who they are, and a good helping of frustration and disappointment in their country's government for this lack of recognition. I know that puppies are easier to give away in Lumbee country than my own gentrified neighborhood. I know that men don't like to compete in "pagents," but will participate in "contests." And, I know that Rhett & Link have hearts of gold for telling the story of the Lumbee when they could have just kept their focus on their goal to find their teacher. I thought I was just feeding my fan habit when I popped this DVD into my home theater for the first time. I didn't know I was going to discover a people and a cause worth supporting. Rhett & Link have a keen eye for good storytelling, good film making, and compelling character portraiture. You don't have to be a Rhett & Link fan to enjoy this film. You don't even have to be a documentary fan! It's just a lovely little hour of discovery. These fellas have proven many times over that they can make a 2-4 minute music video worth sharing with everyone you know. Now, they've demonstrated that they can capture and hold our rapt attention with a feature length film. I hope they do it again.
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