“40 Years In The Making: The Magic Music Movie” is the ultimate underdog story—imagine if your favorite local band from the ’70s got one more shot at glory.
It’s filled with epic reunions, old-school jams, and just the right amount of drama.
It’s like if “Almost Famous” had a baby with “This Is Spinal Tap,” and it hits all the right nostalgic notes.
Trailer for “40 Years in the Making: The Magic Music Movie”
Watch “40 Years In The Making: The Magic Music Movie”
Release Date: 2017
You can stream it for free on:
- Tubi (with ads) at https://tubitv.com/movies/506018/40-years-in-the-making-the-magic-music-movie
- PlutoTV (with ads) at https://pluto.tv/us/on-demand/movies/5e502b6bd118e9001ab9fcd6
…or stream it for $$ on:
- Amazon Prime Video at https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/0GQIEOBZVDGC5QGAXA25BLDDH9/
- Apple TV at https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/40-years-in-the-making-the-magic-music-movie/umc.cmc.66onc3jm8x067mohbumcn8pkf
- YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeYG-NAKE_s
Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/40-years-in-the-making-the-magic-music-movie
Ratings:
- My Rating: 96/100
- IMDB Rating: 7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 97/100 (Users); 93/100 (Critics)
Review of “40 Years In The Making”
“40 Years In The Making: The Magic Music Movie” captures the heart and soul of Magic Music, a band that never quite hit the big time.
Despite this, they left an indelible mark on those who experienced their music.
Directed by Lee Aronsohn, co-creator of “Two and a Half Men,” this documentary is a heartfelt homage to the band. They thrived in the 1970s and have remained a cherished memory for their fans.
Aronsohn attended the University of Colorado Boulder in the early ’70s. He was one of the many who fell under the spell of Magic Music.
Fast forward to 2016, Aronsohn embarks on a mission. He aims to reunite the band and document their story.
What unfolds is a poignant and often humorous exploration of dreams, friendship, and the passage of time.
Magic Music epitomized the counterculture spirit of the ’70s.
Their music, a blend of folk and rock, was the soundtrack to many laid-back afternoons in the Colorado mountains.
A favorite line of mine in the doc is:
Boulder in the early ’70s was “a place where you’d go to a concert and someone would throw 100 joints up in the air.”
They lived the bohemian lifestyle to the hilt, complete with communal living and a disdain for commercialism. This documentary doesn’t just chronicle their music but delves into the ethos that made Magic Music unique.
The film opens with Aronsohn recounting his first encounter with the band in 1972. He paints a vivid picture of a group of long-haired musicians playing on a makeshift stage.
It’s a scene straight out of a ’70s dream. Aronsohn’s enthusiasm is infectious.
He tracks down the band members, each now in their 60s, and convinces them to reunite for one last performance.
One of the film’s strengths is its candid interviews.
The band members—Chris “Spoons” Daniels, Lynn “Flatbush” Poyer, George “Tode” Cahill, Rob “Poonah” Galloway, and Will “Das” Luckey—reminisce about their days in Magic Music.
They mix fondness with regret. They speak of the highs of their musical journey and the lows of their personal struggles.
The director blends interviews with archival footage and photographs to bring the band’s history to life.
The reunion is not without its challenges. The band members, now scattered across the country, have to overcome logistical hurdles and old tensions. A
ronsohn captures these moments with a keen eye for drama and humor.
There are heated arguments, moments of doubt, and plenty of laughs.
The doc doesn’t shy away from the realities of aging and the passage of time. It also celebrates the enduring power of music and friendship.
The climax of the documentary is the reunion concert held in Boulder, Colorado, in 2016. It’s a heartwarming and emotional event.
The band members take the stage and play their old songs.
The audience, a mix of old fans and new, is visibly moved.
The music, though perhaps a bit rusty, still carries the same magic it did decades ago.
Aronsohn skillfully captures the joy and nostalgia of the moment, making it a fitting tribute to the band’s legacy.
“40 Years In The Making: The Magic Music Movie” is more than just a music documentary. It’s a reflection on the dreams and ideals of the ’70s.
It’s a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the enduring power of music.
Aronsohn’s personal connection to the band adds an intimate and heartfelt dimension to the film. His passion for Magic Music is evident in every frame. It’s impossible not to be swept up in his enthusiasm.
The doc also touches on broader themes of success and failure. Magic Music never achieved commercial success. Yet, they left an indelible mark on those who heard them. The documentary challenges conventional notions of success.
It suggests that the true measure of a band’s impact is not in record sales but in the memories and emotions they evoke.
My hero Jerry Garcia would give an “Amen” to that!
I find “40 Years In The Making” charming
I think it will resonate with anyone who has ever been touched by music.
And if you ever had a band that didn’t make it commercially big, you’re really dig it!
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc