Troubadours (2011)

64% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
90% of users liked it
(368 ratings)

As the cultural tumult of the late 1960s gave way to the malaise of the early 1970s, the tone of American popular music began to change, and the rabble-rousing sound of the psychedelic era evolved into a more personal and contemplative approach. Two of the artists who defined this change were Carole… More As the cultural tumult of the late 1960s gave way to the malaise of the early 1970s, the tone of American popular music began to change, and the rabble-rousing sound of the psychedelic era evolved into a more personal and contemplative approach. Two of the artists who defined this change were Carole King, who went from writing pop hits for The Shirelles, Little Eva and The Monkees to stepping out as a solo artist and releasing the top-selling Tapestry, and James Taylor, who after enjoying minor success with the band The Flying Machine became a superstar on the strength of songs like "Fire and Rain" and "You've Got A Friend". The documentary Troubadours examines the rise of the singer/songwriter scene in the 1970s, focusing on King and Taylor as well as artists such as Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Elton John and Kris Kristofferson, and also profiling Doug Weston, whose Los Angeles nightclub The Troubadour became a launching pad for many major artists. Troubadours was an official selection at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Morgan Neville
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Documentary

In Theaters: Feb 2, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Mar 15, 2011
Studio: Independent Pictures

Critic Reviews

Dennis Harvey, Variety
An infectiously fond look at a mellow moment in rock history.
Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
Watching the warmly nostalgic "Troubadours" is like going to a reunion of old friends. You're so happy to see them again that you are willing to forgive whatever lapses and flaws there are in the experience.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
In the end, as another talking head points out, "the music always wins." And it did -- by a landslide.
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice
The film is entertaining but hardly penetrating.
David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
A key weakness of the documentary is that it doesn't do enough to refute the charges long leveled at the Laurel Canyon league by music critics.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Fans of James Taylor and Carole King rejoice
Shawn Levy, Oregonian
It's woeful as a documentary history -- a real missed opportunity.
Jesse Cataldo, Slant Magazine
Troubadours gets off on vague talk about community and a generous helping of tunes.
Pam Grady, Boxoffice Magazine
Troubadours is an amiable endeavor, if something of a puff piece.
David Noh, Film Journal International
For any music lover, this doc offers sheer bliss and a warm bath of nostalgia for the '70s era of L.A.-based singer-songwriters.