Songcatcher (2001)
81%RT Audience Score: 78%
Awards & Nominations: 5 wins & 5 nominations
The story may be a bit too melodramatic, but great performances abound in Songcatcher. The real reason to see the movie, however, is the hypnotic music
If you’re looking for a movie that’s both stodgy and full of surprises, then Songcatcher is the film for you! Sure, the story can be a bit familiar, but the traditional music will have you tapping your toes and slapping your knees with blissful exuberance. And let’s not forget about Janet McTeer, who is the perfect actress to play Lily Penleric. So, skip the popcorn and grab the soundtrack, because this movie is a wonderfully crafted minor key masterpiece.
Production Company(ies)
2.4.7. Films, France 3 Cinéma The Kennedy Marshall Company,
Distributor
Songcather Films LLC, Lionsgate Films
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for sexual content and an intense scene of childbirth
Year of Release
2001
-
Color:Color
-
Sound mix:Dolby Digital
-
Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
-
Runtime:1h 52m
-
Language(s):English
-
Country of origin:United States
-
Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jun 15, 2001 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 23, 2001
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Janet McTeer, Aidan Quinn, Pat Carroll, Jane Adams, Gregory Russell Cook, Iris DeMent, directed by Maggie Greenwald, written by Maggie Greenwald, drama, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Lisa Alspector, Dennis Harvey, Kimberley Jones, Rick Groen, Roger Moore, Edward Guthmann, Ronni Radner, Emanuel Levy, John A Nesbit, Michael Dequina, Frank Lovece, produced by Dick Miller, Ellen Rigas-Venetis, PG-13, Appalachian music, musicologist, self-discovery, women’s independence, male-dominated world, university, promotion, recording device, writing materials, sexual content, intense scene of childbirth, Songcather Films LLC, Lionsgate Films, Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Worldwide gross: $3,171,273
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,344,510
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,155
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 582,825
US/Canada gross: $3,059,834
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $5,156,703
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,803
US/Canada opening weekend: $41,967
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $70,727
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,079
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $1,800,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $3,033,519
Production budget ranking: 1,976
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $1,633,550
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): $677,440
ROI to date (est.): 15%
ROI ranking: 1,324
Aidan Quinn – Tom Bledsoe
Pat Carroll – Viney Butler
Jane Adams – Elna Penleric
Gregory Russell Cook – Fate Honeycutt
Iris DeMent – Rose Gentry
Director(s)
Maggie Greenwald
Writer(s)
Maggie Greenwald
Producer(s)
Dick Miller, Ellen Rigas-Venetis
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
5 wins & 5 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (89) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (66) | Rotten (23)
Like the main character, it’s stodgy and didactic — and full of grace and surprises.
April 24, 2012
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Songcatcher unfolds at a leisurely but enjoyable pace, its dramatic contrivances never pushed too hard by director Maggie Greenwald.
March 27, 2009
Dennis Harvey
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Buy the soundtrack. Skip the film.
March 10, 2003 | Rating: 0.5/5
Kimberley Jones
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
No matter how purely sung, the music keeps getting lost in the melodrama.
October 12, 2001 | Rating: 2/4
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
A wonderfully crafted movie in a minor key.
August 24, 2001
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
TOP CRITIC
Tall, big-boned Janet McTeer … is the ideal actress to play Lily Penleric.
August 2, 2001 | Rating: 3/4
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
With an infectious soundtrack featuring Emmylou Harris, Songcatcher is an artfully inspirational tale of women’s independence during times of turbulent change.
May 27, 2022
Ronni Radner
Out Magazine
January 24, 2013 | Rating: B
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
an uneven path, like the mountainous scenery itself
November 30, 2010 | Rating: C+
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews
Never overcomes its overly familiar story and structure, even with some catchy traditional music generously spread throughout.
November 9, 2009 | Rating: 2/4
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
In this exceptional film, mercifully free of the usual warm and fuzzy movie sentimentality, director Maggie Greenwald and her fine cast shatter most hillbilly stereotypes.
July 30, 2003 | Rating: 4.5/5
Frank Lovece
TV Guide
This slice of trenchant Americana, grabs you by your lapels, churns you up a bit, and soon has you slapping your knees with blissful exuberance
June 1, 2003
Brandon Judell
Detour Magazine…
Plot
In 1907, frustrated musicologist Doctor Lily Penleric heads to Appalachia with a recording device and writing materials to pursue her passion for folk music and make a name for herself in the male-dominated academic world, leading her on an unexpected path to self-discovery in Songcatcher.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Janet McTeer’s performance as Lily Penleric is “wonderfully crafted” and “ideal.”
Maggie-Greenwald.jpg
