Art Dealers, directed by Roy Power and Adam Weiner, is an entertaining rock concert documentary. We follow Adam Weiner, who goes by the stage persona Low-Cut Connie, and his band, the Art Dealers. He is a charismatic frontman with a talent for songwriting. Weiner believes ordinary people can do extraordinary things, and this documentary proves such.
Interspersed between footage of two concert performances — at Sony Hall and the Blue Note — Weiner tells his life story in anecdotes and introduces each band member. Prior to starting the Art Dealers, he worked various gigs and had a day job. Notably, he performed music for the drag balls at a gay bar called Pegasus, which introduced him to the wildlife of being a stage performer. This moment was significant, as it inspired him to write the song “Shake It Little Tina” in tribute to his boss, who performed in drag as Tina Turner. At 31, Weiner started the Art Dealers with the aim of making his bandmates feel like stars on stage. Each member stands out with their individual personalities. Will Donnelly is the quiet guitar player who is in the zone while performing. Amanda “Rocky” Bullwinkel, one of the backup singers, is feisty and crafts handmade soap on the side. Jarae Lewis, one of the drummers, hustles between his music career and working food delivery jobs.
“…Weiner started the Art Dealers with the aim of making his bandmates feel like stars on stage.”
The film also sheds light on Weiner’s vulnerability and humanitarian attributes. He suffered a mental breakdown and currently uses antidepressants to keep himself in the moment. On a positive note, he is proud of his Jewish heritage. In 2019, he performed a charity concert after the tragic terrorist attack at The Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.
With Art Dealers, Power and Weiner have delivered a phenomenal concert film. The Art Dealers’ music is engaging and extremely catchy. It helps that the frontman has a big personality, which gives the songs an electric energy. Weiner has that classic rock star persona, which is greatly needed in an age of forgettable pop stars. He combines humor and honesty in his performances. The concerts are well-choreographed, as seen in rehearsal snippets. Weiner is also respectful to his fans, and it is great to see the enthusiasm in their faces while taking pictures with him. If you’re a fan of alternative rock bands like Counting Crows, Weiner’s music carries that same vibe. This documentary needs to be viewed in a theater with the best surround sound.
The band has a great camaraderie, and they feel relatable in their moments hanging out backstage. Seeing the tight friendship between the two backup singers, Rocky and Abigail Dempsey, is sincerely captured in wonderfully shot close-ups. Besides the video footage, there is dynamic still photography by Skylar Watkins and Shervin Lainez used throughout the 80-minute runtime. The photography shows off each bandmate in their element. Lovers of alternative rock will enjoy this film as Art Dealers is a must-see documentary.
"…a must-see..."
