MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS - TRIBECA REVIEW
To make a moving, hilarious, and feel-good band mockumentary like MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS you need an incredibly good cast of improv actors. Actors that can also play instruments, mind you. You'll need a hellava lot of stamina since you'll be touring the world (or a really good green screen). Finally you'll need an expert director to piece it all together and form it into a cohesive structure. Perhaps someone like Christopher Guest and his merry band of pranksters? However, the most amazing thing about Mistaken is that it's not a mockumentary at all. It's a real documentary, shot and created by a "less than seasoned" director, and starting a very real, very popular band. It's all just too mad to work, but it does. All of it.
When Matt Berninger, lead singer of the band "The National," discovers they are short a roadie for their upcoming tour he asks his brother Tom to step in. Tom's ecstatic and decides he's going to shoot a documentary chronicling the entire thing. And we're on the ride the entire way. "The National" is now hitting a large amount of success. They're selling out 5,000 seat theaters, getting recognized on the street, and Tom is there to record it all. What's thrilling is the way it's presented. Tom really has no idea what he's doing and embraces the weirdness of every situation. The band themselves are game for anything he throws at them, which makes for some truly hilarious (and Christopher Guest-like moments). It also leads to some very tense moments that paints a true color of authenticity. Tom himself should be very proud, as he has made a documentary like none I've ever seen; one that actually creates a wonderful comedy out of everyday touring. Ultimately moving and touching, Mistaken for Strangers is truly the beginning of many great things for Tom Beringer. His brother wouldn't have it any other way.
VERDICT: A Must See
Directed by Tom Berninger Featuring Tom Berninger, Matt Berninger, Bryan Devendorf, Scott Devendorf, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner Country USA Content Advisory (Adult Language, Brief Nudity) For ticket and screening information: http://tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets
BOTTOM LINE: A remarkable achievement for any one filmmaker but especially for such a novice as Tom Berninger. Bravo.