Forever Plaid Movie. Anyone go?

[bertandrew2]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 2:32pm

I went. Curious to know what everyone thought. Surprised there was nothing on this website about it yesterday.

[Soliantu]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 6:01pm

where was it playing? I would've gone if I'd known.. I didn't see any advertisements anywhere for it.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 6:21pm

They advertised it here but it wasn't actually playing.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/10/09 at 6:23pm

If you went, how was it then?

[K8eeyore]

Posted: 7/11/09 at 2:45am

I went. It was really good, and my first time seeing the show.
During the live show afterwards, the Plaids did a medley of "How Much is That Doggie in the Window" the Baha Men's "Who Let the Dog's Out (whoot!whoot!whoot!) as well as swingy, peppy versions of "Memory" and "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd". It was hilarious.

[bertandrew2]

Posted: 7/12/09 at 8:57am

Basically, the movie was a filmed version of the orignal stage show. Was not opened up or changed in the least, however the Perry Como Golden Cardigan story was not in the movie! They did film it though, because in one shot in the calypso numbers, there is one of those kitchen strainers on the wall. Oops.

It was good. I am glad there is a record of this show! But for some reason, I was expecting a 'movie' and they would some how, open the show up--perhaps filming the boys before they died or something. Oh well.

Happy 20th Anniversary, Forever Plaid!

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 7/13/09 at 8:04am

"Forever Plaid" is one of my favorites, so I was excited about this for a long time and I wasn't let down! I thought the show translated very well to screen... although the recorded audience reactions/laughter were a bit tedious at times.

Did anyone else see the red carpet footage where Carol Channing showed up and dumped a bucket of crazy all over the place? (I say that affectionately). Kudos to her for being so feisty at her age and for supporting getting arts and music back into schools.

I really hope the movie and the extra footage make it to DVD.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/13/09 at 6:13pm

I enjoyed it and assumed it would basically be the stage production filmed as it is usually performed. I couldn't imagine it working well any other way. The continuity in editing was a bit off as in the aforementioned colander sconces that were part of the cut number (why on earth did they cut the Perry Como sequence?!?!) and by Daniel Reichard's overacting sweat glands. He would be absolutely dripping in sweat in one camera angle (very uncomfortable to watch) and suspiciously fresh and dry in the next angle during the same song. A bit nit-picky, but it was somewhat distracting at times.

As for the pre-show "red carpet" coverage...wow, what a TRAIN WRECK. It was so painfully awkward. Who was that interviewer? I missed the beginning and she apparently never said her name again after it started, so I had to guess she was either Allison Arngrim (Nelly from Little House on the Prairie) or Susan Olsen (Cindy from Th Brady Bunch). My money is on Allison, but I'd love some clarification. She was energetic, but seemed totally in over her head and completely lost. "Oh, look! It's Carl Reiner! Let's say hello to Carl. Carl...What? We're out of time? What? Yes? Are we out of time? We are? Ok. We're out of time! Oh, wait...say good night to everyone, Carl. Ok. Is that it? Are we done? Ok, that's it."

The post-show was cute, but a bit long. Both Doggie/Dogs and Sweeney should have been cut in half. The harmonizing bit was fun, especially since people in out theatre actually participated. Overall, it was a swell night for Plaid fans, but I doubt those unfamiliar with the show would be very enthused. The charm of the show is somewhat dulled without the live presence and interaction. Plus, the cameras were constantly trying to squeeze in tight shots to zoom every little comedic nuance when half the fun is spotting them for yourself. Ad a few times, the cinematography was a bit sloppy and rushed to the point that the shot eded up being totally unfocused (the plaid jacket linings, for example).

I'm happy the show was filmed and will probably be distributed on DVD in (mostly) its original form. I just wish they could have taken a little more time with it, but I'm sure the budget was pretty tight.

Updated On: 7/14/09 at 06:13 PM

[K8eeyore]

Posted: 7/14/09 at 12:01am

It was Allison Arngrim.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 7/14/09 at 12:07am

Was anybody else in any of your theaters? Just curious. I can't imagine this doing well.

[blaxx]

Posted: 7/14/09 at 2:30am

Hope the Perry Como section is on the DVD, I love that part.

[bertandrew2]

Posted: 7/14/09 at 7:42am

I would say there was about 50 people in the Connecticut theatre I saw this in. 40 of them were an acapella singing group of older women who were singing during the preshow.

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 7/14/09 at 8:09am

I had to drive an hour and a half to even get to a city showing the movie, and I arrived at 7 PM just to be sure I didn't get lost. They let me into the auditorium and were testing the digital feed... I got to see about 25 minutes of the movie "early" and I was the only one there for that. Then the red carpet footage started at 7:30 and more people started showing up. There were probably 20-25 people overall. Mostly older folks, but some younger ones who enjoyed it as well.