The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Morgan Freeman talks with the musicians between songs in language that gets them comfortable. You get a feeling of what it would be like to have a chance to get to know each artist. The conversations between songs are really relaxed and Morgan really shows he loves the music. The tone of the interviews usually conveys a little history, stories they like to tell and direct conversation to give us a behind the scenes insight. The whole film captures a down home feeling like sitting in on a jam session behind stage. The music is very well recorded and the camera work conveys a feeling of being in a small audience very close to the artists. If you like women who sing the blues this is a great documentary. Morgan Freeman adds a great level of insight in the way he interacts and the language he uses that really opens up the conversations, very well done.