Friday, May 24, 2019

SIFF 2019: 'Enormous: The Gorge Story' Movie Review

a view of the gorge amphitheater

From geological anomaly to accidental concert venue—the original owners wanted to start a vineyard—Nic Davis’ documentary, Enormous: The Gorge Story tracks the evolution of Washington’s Gorge Amphitheater into one of the most unique, spectacular places to see live music. The film weaves together archival footage, intimate performances, and talking head interviews with the likes of Dave Mathews, John Oates, Jason Mraz, members of Pearl Jam, and more.

[Read More: More Must-See Music Documentaries]

At a hair over 60 minutes, Enormous packs a lot into a short span, and there’s definitely room for more. We get a bit about the peculiar nature of the spot, but really just a quick snippet from a Washington geologist near the front, and though the filmmakers sprinkle in performances throughout, most are brief and truncated. Still, mixing in personal stories—from musicians, the people who played a role in the Gorge over the years, and fans and regulars with deep, emotional connections to the place—the film offers a quick, efficient, effective glimpse.

[Read More: Check Out the Rest of Our SIFF 2019 Coverage Here]

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