The Saddest Music in the World
2003 · Movie · R · 101 min · ★ 6.8 · 79% critics
In Depression-era Winnipeg, a wealthy beer baroness launches an international radio contest to crown the saddest music in the world, dangling a cash prize to draw attention to her business. As performers arrive from around the globe, the competition turns into a strange, darkly funny spectacle where personal grudges and desperation seep into every song.
Where to watch
Streaming on AMC+ and Sundance Now.
2 hours to watch.
Streaming availability and prices may be inaccurate or change — verify with the provider before subscribing.
unSUB's subscription recommendations are informational only, not financial advice.
More value for your money
Similar titles, ranked by watch-hours per subscription dollar.
Details
- Years
- 2003
- Release date
- 2003-09-17
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Critic score
- 79/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.8/10 (70 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a surreal, darkly comic musical with a deliberately old-movie vibe and absurd set pieces, like Being John Malkovich; Not for you if you need a straightforward plot and conventional tone.
Pros: wildly original premise; dark, offbeat humor; striking retro look | Cons: thin, muddled story; confusing, uneven pacing; not for mainstream tastes
Themes
- canada
- beer
- great depression
- depression era
- winnipeg
- prosthetic leg
- prosthesis
- music
- musical contest
- legless
Cast & crew
Isabella Rossellini
as Lady Helen Port-Huntley
Mark McKinney
as Chester Kent
Maria de Medeiros
as Narcissa
David Fox
as Fyodor Kent
- RM
Ross McMillan
as Roderick Kent / Gravillo the Great
Louis Negin
as Blind Seer
Darcy Fehr
as Teddy
- CD
Claude Dorge
as Duncan Elksworth
Talia Pura
as Mary
Adriana O'Neil
as Agnes
Directed by Guy Maddin