Songcatcher

A musicologist (Janet McTeer) heads to the Appalachians near the turn of the century and starts documenting the tunes that the locals are singing on their porches. McTeer gives a nice performance as a woman, bitter and uninvited at first, who gradually softens her approach and is accepted by the locals. Like the Coens’ O Brother, Where Art Thou?, this film showcases some nice American roots music. The story isn’t always engaging, but the performances, including one from the underrated Aidan Quinn, and the tunes make things enjoyable.