The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia (2009)
Director: Julien Nitzberg
Where to get it: NEW VIDEO
Shoot-outs, robberies, gas-huffing , drug dealing, pill popping, murders, and tap dancing – what do these all have in common? These are just a few of the parts of being a member of the Wild and Wonderful White Family. The legendary family is as known for their wild, excessive criminal ways as they are for their famous mountain dancing members, including Jesco White, the star of the cult classic documentary “Dancing Outlaw.” Exploring both the comic and tragic sides of life on the other side of the law, this stylish, fast-paced family portrait exposes the powerful forces of corruption, poverty, and West Virginia’s environmentally and culturally devastating coal mining culture that helped shape the White family, a dying breed of outlaws preserving a dying form of dance.
The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia is a real sight to see. It’s something that seems cooked up in someone’s head somewhere, but it’s 100% legit and real. That fact alone makes this thing one of the funniest and saddest films I’ve ran across in a very long time. The White’s aren’t what I’d call bad people. But they aren’t good by any true definition either. They are rowdy, they are blunt, and they are more than entertaining as we spend a year in the life they live. Now of course we do have really serious issues popping up for members of the family. Some very different issues, but totally serious in many ways and forms. Along the way we also have the family’s biggest star, Jesco, dancing and saying some stuff that is really poetic. Hank William III also pops up to give his opinions.
So along the way you laugh, you cringe, and they are some very emotional moments that do sneak up on you from here and there. It’s really just one documentary that touches on every emotion and it shows about every emotion one could have while watching the film. I kinda figured going into this one that I’d like it, but I ended up actually loving this movie. It’s fun, it’s crazy, and it does make you shake your head at these folks more than once. But you will be entertained, if nothing else, every step along the way. It’s a film you will want to own and show your friends. It’s also something that packs a lot of re-watch value.
(8/10)
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