May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers

Hollywood producer-director Judd Apatow co-directed (along with Michael Bonfiglio) this music documentary about Seth and Scott Avett, two North Carolina siblings who pooled their talents in the 1990s and formed an enduring singer-songwriter duo called the Avett Brothers. May It Last focuses on the musical origins and family ties involved in the Avett Brothers’ co-songwriting ethic, and their Americana-genre sound (a mashup of bluegrass, punk rock, pop jangle, and rustic folk—with some feverish fiddling and plenty of foot-stomping). Viewers see the Avetts in musical footage from their younger years, including club dates, when they were virtual—if passionate—unknowns, and later in guest spots on the David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel talk shows (these days the Avetts sell out Madison Square Garden). Both appear to be very likeable and seemingly mature husbands and fathers, and they spend much of the film here working on their 2016 studio album True Sadness, presided over by superstar producer Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, the Beastie Boys). The accessible yet always slightly enigmatic Rubin says that the Avetts’ real appeal is that they sound like family, which is a very old Americana virtue indeed. Presented in 5.1 surround sound and stereo, extras include deleted scenes, a recording of "Satan Pulls the Strings," a live performance of "I Wish I Was," and a music video for "Morning Song." Recommended. (T. Keogh)