Lightning in a Bottle

Antoine Fuqua may seem an odd choice to helm a film documenting a star-studded blues concert, but the director reigns in his hyper-kinetic sensibilities and delivers a straight forward account of the event. In early 2003, dozens of famed blues musicians came together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their genre for an audience comprised mostly of rich-looking white people (go figure). The show itself featured performances by legends including B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Robert Cray. Fuqua spends the majority of the film just shooting these performances, though he does occasionally allow some of the musicians to reflect on what the blues means to them (we’re also provided with a brief history lesson). Though Lightning in a Bottle isn’t quite as enjoyable as Standing in the Shadows of Motown, the film does feature a number of genuinely engaging performances.

*** out of ****