I'm not sure where GREAT WORLD OF SOUND falls in the anthology of film. It has an understated, documentary quality which is admirable. It is at times funny but never strains for laughs. Perhaps its best achievement is in creating a seemless world of struggling losers who are at once believable and even in some regards likeable. This occurs even as the above said characters are seen duping apspiring local musicians and theme acts out of their very limited assets.
Props for director Craig Zobel and to Kene Holiday for his engaging portrayal of a salesman who sees no shame in exploiting the grey areas in his dealings with would be clients. Pat Healy is low key in all the right ways and is belieavable as a somewhat likeable loser who is trying to improve his life.
The annoying thing about this film (in retrospect) is that we are never actually sure while it plays out whether or not our two leads are in on the con or not. Are they slightly aware? Do they even have suspicions early on? Do they have niggling doubts? A little more character and script development here to see their progression as characters might have helped and certainly Martin seems smart enough to have caught on to much of the game earlier in the story.
Much love goes out to the other supporting actors (including Robert Longstreet who strikes just the right tone as the creepy head honcho Layton). The audition scenes with real musicians are never overplayed, and it's a joy to see such restraint. The director is to be commended for getting the tone right and not overplaying the story. The film feels pitch perfect if it could only go back to the shop for a few script tweaks where it might benefit from a little more character and scene development. I'd call it a fascinating, well played, near miss.