THE BOYS: THE SHERMAN BROTHERS’ STORY
CAROLINE: I’m only a little sorry I missed “The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story” with you because it sounds somewhat interesting – and the music must be great.
RYAN: They were the real life brothers who Walt Disney hired on staff to write so much of the most memorable Disney music.
CAROLINE: They gave us all the hits in “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” “The Parent Trap,” and even “It’s a Small World,” which frankly, I think we could all have done without.
RYAN: [laughs’ Speak for yourself. The story behind that song is brill. They also did the music in the non-Disney “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” among much more.
CAROLINE: So how was the documentary?
RYAN: I was most interested in it to see why two brothers who created such magic together sadly drifted apart and no longer talk. LBH, let’s be honest, we want some drama in our movies.
CAROLINE: This is true… and?
RYAN: And the film doesn’t explain why they stopped talking.
CAROLINE: That’s rude.
RYAN: It may be because it’s co-directed by each of the subject’s respective sons. And Ben Stiller is an exec producer which just gives me the willies.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ Is he in it?
RYAN: He is – pontificating on the significance of these songwriters which I shan’t deny. But still, haven’t we enough Ben Stiller this month?
CAROLINE: For this lifetime.
RYAN: I really loved the music and it was really a golden era for Disney; so, much of this documentary is enjoyable just for that reason. And it made me wanna go back and re-watch all the classic movies.
CAROLINE: Since I’m not a fan of family films, I might have taken a nap during this one.
RYAN: You also napped during “Star Trek.”
CAROLINE: I stand by my right to nap when I’m bored beyond belief.
— BOTTOM LINE —
RYAN: It’s a decent documentary about a pivotal time in Disney history and American history. It’s fascinating on those levels. But as a family story, it leaves more to the imagination than any imagineer would prefer. Maybe rent it or look for it on cable someday.
— RATING —
