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No, the title does not refer to farting. Let’s get that out of the way, because I can hear at least thirty percent of you are snickering already.

A Mighty Wind is a “mockumentary.” It is written and presented in a documentary style that you might call “dramatic, sans narration.” Meaning, the camera silently follows the characters around, intercut with in-character “interviews.” I mention that for anyone who’s already cringing at the idea of watching even a “pretend” documentary. My suggestion would be that if you’re not familiar with the format but are genuinely convinced you’re funny, give it a go and see how evolved you really are.

The impetus behind this pretend documentary comes from the death of the fictional Irving Steinbloom, a legendary folk music pioneer. Stricken with grief, Steinbloom’s anal retentive son Jonathan (Bob Balaban) strikes out to assemble a tribute concert featuring some of the acts inspired by his father’s legacy. Jonathan’s brother and sister are split on the idea, causing considerable friction in what seems to be an already strained relationship.

The siblings settle on three acts to invite. First up are The Folksmen, a '60s trio whose jaunty, inoffensive music would be equally at home behind an oatmeal commercial or in front of a group of fourth graders. Alan (Christopher Guest), Mark (Harry Shearer) and their founder, Jerry (Michael McKean) haven’t seen one another in years, but seem pleased to reunite. If the mention of these particular actors as a musical trio rings any bells, feel free to give yourself a gold star.

Yes, this is Spinal Tap. You wouldn’t recognize them though. Shearer is bald, save the beard Abe Lincoln would have worn had he been Amish. Guest is rocking an horrific porn star moustache and late-stage Art Garfunkel hairdo. McKean might just be wearing his regular clothes.

The Main Street Singers are a multi-generational group with enough people in it to have a tactical advantage over The Partridge Family. Notable members include Laurie, co-bandleader who was once an enthusiastic porn star. Her husband Terry seems to have some issues with that, which may be why he runs the group like a dictatorship. Sissy (Parker Posey) is a one-time street urchin who credits the group with saving her life. While that seems sad, I felt differently about her obvious post traumatic stress.

If you’ve ever met someone whose relentlessly shrill optimism can only be some kind of defense mechanism, you’ll know what I mean. There’s more. Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy are Mitch and Mickey, another pair of antiques that also happen to be the Sonny and Cher of folk music. Mickey was apparently a little domineering, and Mitch seems to have never recovered from their rocky relationship.

Meanwhile, the Steinbloom siblings grimly hash through the mechanics of paying for and putting on a show they’re not even sure anybody wants. Needless to say, folk isn’t as popular as it once was but luckily, the head of the Public Television (Ed Begley Jr) happens to be a fan. The show will go on, and the bulk of A Mighty Wind follows the combined effort to prepare for it.

What’s great about this story is that the best part of any show like this is going to be the lead up to it. It’s impossible to predict the effect of putting people - many of whom who haven’t seen or spoken to each other in years - in a high pressure situation where they’re expected to produce quickly. The Folksmen are having a little trouble getting their act synced up again. Mitch and Mickey are trying to figure out whether they can still harmonize. And, from day to day, whether Mitch will show up for rehearsal or be found wandering through a storm sewer.

All the main players here are people looking for a way to connect, or reconnect to relationships they either once had, or have always wished for. An appreciation for high-brow humor AND long, uncomfortable scenes of humiliation will be required of you as a viewer. If you can do it, you will be rewarded with far too many great performances to mention here. Much of the cast have performed together in various ways over the years, and it really is rare to see such a large cast so simultaneously comfortable and on game.

Levy and O’Hara share a range of wonderful moments together, and their attempts to move past a pulverized past ironically provides the film with much of its heart. The Main Street Singers seem to be a collection of headcases, with Terry coldly requiring new recruits to wear a humiliating uniform until they can successfully harmonize.

There’s a lot going on here but if you’ve ever seen Spinal Tap, much of it will be familiar. Artists may be temperamental people but they tick and tock the same way everyone else does. Also, talented and successful people require people around them who handle things that have nothing to do with talent, but everything to do with success. And sometimes, those people get in the goddamn way.

What makes A Mighty Wind so good is that it’s well written (courtesy of Guest and Levy), well directed (again, Guest), and the talent is committed to bringing some very complex characters to life. I can’t predict whether or not A Mighty Wind will work for you as well as it does for me. If you’re still reading this, probably. But if you enjoy a mockumentary at all, I think you’re going to have a great time. And if you enjoy one that’s made so well you’ll forget it’s not real, then run, don’t walk.

Lastly, I should mention that it takes a great deal of talent to act convincingly. It also takes tremendous skill to legitimately sing while playing a musical instrument. As someone with a background in music, it’s something I tend to notice. I’m the guy who leans over and says to you in the theater:

“He’s not really playing that, you know.”

So, to watch so many people do it so well and so seamlessly is nothing short of a delight for me. As an added bonus, even if you’re not into folk music (and I’m not) the soundtrack to A Mighty Wind is as much fun to listen to as the movie is to watch. The highlight is a song called “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” that’s reportedly capable of conjuring cartoon birds out of thin air.

That said, there’s nothing left to say. A Mighty Wind is a delight.