Perfect documentary of a director with a history of gambling and a warm heart. Rolling the dice over and over for a Jackpot ending.
He tries to raise the pot and stack the deck with more unwanted direct influences into the subjects life. Wagering his next hand will win the fairytale/Jackpot ending we all want to see. But he eventually sees the cards were always stacked against him. That he was working with a dead man's hand all along. That true history shows that the House of Life will decide who wins.
24 Reviews
Layers upon Layers. The Ringmaster is the new "American Movie"
torridfox16 February 2021
Onions have layers, just like people do, and this movie is a perfect demonstration of just how complicated people truly are. Just as the two heroes from the cult classic "American Movie" set out on an unabashedly honest attempt at creating true art, their final product pales in comparison to their journey. That's where all the revelations are, along the path. As Zack bumbles his way face forward into pursuing his personal vision we get a rare opportunity to observe humans in a truly chaotic situation doing what humans do best, not knowing what we are doing. The result is one of the most honest and interesting documentaries about real Americans and the dreams we pursue as well as what shapes our lives. Just as we laughed and jived at the filmmakers of "American Movie" the honesty of the film is what has cemented it as cult classic years later. It's a real movie, with real people, and real consequences which is also a testament to the art of documentaries and how the art truly is a jungle. I recommend a viewing to any auteur looking for something new and raw.
A fantastic look into a manipulative narcissist's delusional dream that he is creating a positive impact on the life of a humble man who wants nothing to do with the film
codykostyak19 February 2021
The glowing reviews show that this is a "brave" documentary that peels back layers of humanity to pursue a man's dream of creating a documentary about Larry Lang and his famous onion rings.
What I found was a tale of a narcissistic filmmaker that manipulates a man to fit his narrative so he can finish a project and make a profit. I was fine with the subject matter, and I kept holding out to find some redemption for Zachary Capp (the filmmaker and co-star) as a human. Unfortunately, there was no redemption, no remorse, no apologies, ... nothing. This film was borderline unethical to film, and hard to watch with any sort of conscious.
The film was edited and shot well, with few complaints of the overall cinematography. I wish I could say the same about the narrative and overall character of the filmmaker.
This film was overall thought provoking. The hate and animosity that builds for the filmmaker is powerful, but not redeeming enough to warrant a higher review.
What I found was a tale of a narcissistic filmmaker that manipulates a man to fit his narrative so he can finish a project and make a profit. I was fine with the subject matter, and I kept holding out to find some redemption for Zachary Capp (the filmmaker and co-star) as a human. Unfortunately, there was no redemption, no remorse, no apologies, ... nothing. This film was borderline unethical to film, and hard to watch with any sort of conscious.
The film was edited and shot well, with few complaints of the overall cinematography. I wish I could say the same about the narrative and overall character of the filmmaker.
This film was overall thought provoking. The hate and animosity that builds for the filmmaker is powerful, but not redeeming enough to warrant a higher review.
hats off to Larry
ferguson-66 October 2020
Greetings again from the darkness. I've just finished reading an article proclaiming "addict" is now an offensive term, but since Zach Capp refers to himself as a gambling addict at the beginning of this movie, I guess it's alright here. Let's start by saying it's not unusual for a documentary project to shift gears or change tracks during production. Sometimes a better story or topic pops up, and the filmmaker goes with it. But that's not what this is. This is more 'Mutiny on the Documentary' and the result is a unique mess that still manages to hold our attention.
Zach discusses his 2015 stint in rehab ("it saved my life") and subsequent inheritance from his grandfather. These two events led him to quit his very good job and pursue documentary filmmaking. His first subject? Onion rings. The onion rings he calls "a big part of my childhood". After we hear numerous customers rave about these onion rings, we meet Larry Lang, the man responsible for the immensely popular tasty treats. Mr. Lang lives in Worthington, Minnesota, and we quickly realize he's not the guy you would likely select as the centerpiece for a film. Well, we realize that, but Zach Capp never does.
We do learn that Zach had a vision, and this was to be the first in a series entitled "American Food Legends". Following Larry around is somewhat less than stimulating, and we try to decide if he is simply socially awkward, or if he falls somewhere on the spectrum. His onion ring recipe is kept secret, and he brings the ingredients to work in a brown paper bag. Larry's sister, Linda, acts as a kind of handler for him during the filming process with Zach and the crew. As a viewer, I often felt like they were intruding on this poor man, yet Zach and everyone involved treated Larry and Linda with respect.
The real cluster involves a garage band named Dead Man's Party performing "Larry's Song", and continues on to the King Turkey Day Parade, Badland's Pawn - known for 'Guns, Gold, and Rock 'n Roll", and ultimately, Badlands' Speedway, where Larry's onion rings are to be featured. Of course, most of Zach's plans to "improve" Larry's life fall flat because Larry is only happy when he's in the kitchen he knows making onion rings for the locals who know him. It could be viewed as an intrusion with the best intentions ... or it could be viewed as manipulation for selfish reasons.
However you view it, the aforementioned 'mutiny' occurs when the crew realizes Zach's pursuit of the "Lord of the Onion Rings" (the original title) is more of a story than Larry Lang. Director Dave Newberg and his girlfriend Molly Dworski are called in to salvage a project that dragged out 3 years. The film is bookended with 2018 Las Vegas, as the onion rings are entered into a tasting as "Raider Rings" ... an offering of the newly transplanted NFL Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas. This ties in the long-time Las Vegas restaurant Piero's, and its owner. It would be nice to report a happy-ending or even bittersweet finale, but life tends to deliver in whatever manner fits. By the time this one ends, we are mostly confused and concerned. What a strange experience, and one that I'll recall anytime onion rings hit my plate.
Zach discusses his 2015 stint in rehab ("it saved my life") and subsequent inheritance from his grandfather. These two events led him to quit his very good job and pursue documentary filmmaking. His first subject? Onion rings. The onion rings he calls "a big part of my childhood". After we hear numerous customers rave about these onion rings, we meet Larry Lang, the man responsible for the immensely popular tasty treats. Mr. Lang lives in Worthington, Minnesota, and we quickly realize he's not the guy you would likely select as the centerpiece for a film. Well, we realize that, but Zach Capp never does.
We do learn that Zach had a vision, and this was to be the first in a series entitled "American Food Legends". Following Larry around is somewhat less than stimulating, and we try to decide if he is simply socially awkward, or if he falls somewhere on the spectrum. His onion ring recipe is kept secret, and he brings the ingredients to work in a brown paper bag. Larry's sister, Linda, acts as a kind of handler for him during the filming process with Zach and the crew. As a viewer, I often felt like they were intruding on this poor man, yet Zach and everyone involved treated Larry and Linda with respect.
The real cluster involves a garage band named Dead Man's Party performing "Larry's Song", and continues on to the King Turkey Day Parade, Badland's Pawn - known for 'Guns, Gold, and Rock 'n Roll", and ultimately, Badlands' Speedway, where Larry's onion rings are to be featured. Of course, most of Zach's plans to "improve" Larry's life fall flat because Larry is only happy when he's in the kitchen he knows making onion rings for the locals who know him. It could be viewed as an intrusion with the best intentions ... or it could be viewed as manipulation for selfish reasons.
However you view it, the aforementioned 'mutiny' occurs when the crew realizes Zach's pursuit of the "Lord of the Onion Rings" (the original title) is more of a story than Larry Lang. Director Dave Newberg and his girlfriend Molly Dworski are called in to salvage a project that dragged out 3 years. The film is bookended with 2018 Las Vegas, as the onion rings are entered into a tasting as "Raider Rings" ... an offering of the newly transplanted NFL Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas. This ties in the long-time Las Vegas restaurant Piero's, and its owner. It would be nice to report a happy-ending or even bittersweet finale, but life tends to deliver in whatever manner fits. By the time this one ends, we are mostly confused and concerned. What a strange experience, and one that I'll recall anytime onion rings hit my plate.
A Miraculous Doc
jeffvanexel27 January 2021
A stunning roller coaster of a doc
malvarez-5236921 November 2020
Holy f#@k this is an absolute must see. I knew zero about this documentary going in and found it to be delicious, funny and heart wrenching. Every time you think the story is going in one direction the unanticipated occurs and you're on the edge of your seat the entire time. I found the filmmaker to be very passionate about honoring the onion ring chef from his childhood. It is really sad to see how this film ends but the movie is so well made and makes you feel very deeply. Also, it was cool to see KISS the band in this movie and the connection to the NFL.
More than Onions
josephw-3269126 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is a movie about a very talented cook and his onion rings. But it's also about wealth and entitlement, manipulation and mental illness, obsession and obliviousness. This filmmaker is so wrapped up in his abundance of money (which, in turn, keeps a revolving cast of assistants flowing in and out, mostly out when they realize what's really going on) that he doesn't realize that his obsession with Larry the ring maker is actually stifling the subject himself, alienating and shocking those around him, and keeping him blind to his own motives and actions. The filmmaker throws more and more money at the project with reckless abandon as the subject descends into severe mental illness, only to discard Larry when he has outgrown his use for the film. It is actually textbook manipulation, narcissistic tendencies and an absolute lack of remorse for what he's doing to those around him. I felt very sorry for most of the people in this film, but less than all for the filmmaker. He should be embarrassed of himself and take the funds he's god left and get some therapy (and preferably, leave the cameras at the door).
A tasty doc
juliaramone28 December 2020
My family grew up visiting this area in Southwest Minnesota where the famous onion rings are from and we all thought the documentary was a touching tribute to a true Minnesota legend. Compelling and heartbreaking. We were on the edge of our seats for 88 minutes. It is an emotional film that will leave you thinking for sure. I laughed, I cried and I felt deeply for all the characters. We were saddened to hear that Larry recently passed away but we're glad to hear that he had a chance to see the film in a sold out theater before the pandemic. This documentary ensures that his legacy will live on and I hope the rings become available again one day because they really are as good as everyone says in the movie.
UTTERLY HUMAN
jalinikoff19 November 2020
This is one of the most compelling pieces of storytelling I've ever seen. The way in which this turns from cookie cutting human interest to off the rails nail biting adventure, is utterly thrilling and continuously compelling
This film is as layered as its subjects. As you peel away, you get closer to the heart and core and the true taste of everyone's hunger; Hunger for delicious onion rings, hunger to be accepted, hunger for success, hunger to show the world hidden talents.
The metaphysical ropes of cause and effect of events presented in this doc stretch out poetically and most of all organically. The story within the story, like the game within the game of let's say baseball, comes to fruition as scene by scene gets more exciting since the stakes keep rising and quiet humbled genius is revealed.
This documentary is subtly relentless, right up to the very end with it's heartbreaking reveal.
I fell in love with this movie because it is so utterly human and life affirming. It brought me to tears as onions tend to do.
God bless the Lang Family.
This film is as layered as its subjects. As you peel away, you get closer to the heart and core and the true taste of everyone's hunger; Hunger for delicious onion rings, hunger to be accepted, hunger for success, hunger to show the world hidden talents.
The metaphysical ropes of cause and effect of events presented in this doc stretch out poetically and most of all organically. The story within the story, like the game within the game of let's say baseball, comes to fruition as scene by scene gets more exciting since the stakes keep rising and quiet humbled genius is revealed.
This documentary is subtly relentless, right up to the very end with it's heartbreaking reveal.
I fell in love with this movie because it is so utterly human and life affirming. It brought me to tears as onions tend to do.
God bless the Lang Family.
Memorable meta doc
sambrown-4927316 January 2021
A documentary about a documentary about onion rings
dr-awesome8612 October 2020
Where to begin with The Ringmaster? It's a film with many twists, turns, and unpredictable meta moments. Filmmaker Zach Capp wants to make a light-hearted food documentary about what are supposedly the greatest onion rings of all time and ends up with a meditation on crafting documentary films and the fraught relationship between documentary filmmaker and their subjects.
Is it ever possible to truly be a "fly on the wall?" Or are you inherently going to change the outcome of a person's life by filming it? This is the crux of The Ringmaster. Zach's insistence to create an "epic onion ring moment" is a direct violation of the unofficial code of documentarians. Of course, Zach's crew recognizes this. It is at that moment they begin to turn the cameras onto Zach. Now Zach and chef Larry Lang's stories and lives are forever intertwined. Of course, this raises a question: Aren't all filmmakers and subjects' lives forever intertwined upon the completion of a documentary?
On the topic of Larry Lang, it is absolutely heart-wrenching to learn about this man's life and the tragedies and setbacks that have fallen upon him. While one could (should?) make the case that the film exploits Larry, it is also a call-to-arms for the rest of the world to rally around the Langs and provide support for someone who brought joy for decades (!) to Minnesotans via onion rings.
Ultimately, The Ringmaster is a real deal honest portrayal of how messy and unpredictable life can be. There's ups, downs, humor, shocks, and a sense of melancholy. It is a very human documentary.
Is it ever possible to truly be a "fly on the wall?" Or are you inherently going to change the outcome of a person's life by filming it? This is the crux of The Ringmaster. Zach's insistence to create an "epic onion ring moment" is a direct violation of the unofficial code of documentarians. Of course, Zach's crew recognizes this. It is at that moment they begin to turn the cameras onto Zach. Now Zach and chef Larry Lang's stories and lives are forever intertwined. Of course, this raises a question: Aren't all filmmakers and subjects' lives forever intertwined upon the completion of a documentary?
On the topic of Larry Lang, it is absolutely heart-wrenching to learn about this man's life and the tragedies and setbacks that have fallen upon him. While one could (should?) make the case that the film exploits Larry, it is also a call-to-arms for the rest of the world to rally around the Langs and provide support for someone who brought joy for decades (!) to Minnesotans via onion rings.
Ultimately, The Ringmaster is a real deal honest portrayal of how messy and unpredictable life can be. There's ups, downs, humor, shocks, and a sense of melancholy. It is a very human documentary.
Unexpected
clairepenn-9089527 January 2021
Powerful film
judemilloy1 March 2021
Deep
mellikesfilms11 May 2021
I'm from Vegas and yeah this was super cool to watch. Actually pretty impressed as to how how well connected Zachary Capp was and that whole raiders scene in the kitchen had me on edge. Alzheimers is really real and made me tear up a little.
Fascinating
irinajones-6952628 December 2020
This is one of the most fascinating docs. The story is unique and all over the map. I experienced a wide array of emotions while watching it. I laughed and the ending broke my heart. This will be a doc that will stick with me for some time.
Eddie Trunk approved
DJAkin19 March 2021
This documentary was suggested by Eddie Trunk. It's on Amazon prime. Very good and bizarre documentary about a guy who makes onion rings. So some guy decides to do a documentary on him. This turns into a documentary about the guy obsessed with making the documentary. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley are in this and taste test his onion rings. Then they onion ring maker has a mental breakdown!
Very interesting
johnsonlola5 January 2021
Loved It
marktowne829 May 2021
So crazy. Loved everything about this, from the documentarian to Larry - really heartfelt and deep honestly. I thought I was watching a documentary about the best onion rings in the world but really it turned into something more important. Respect to everybody involved. Watch and support this film.
One of a kind!
jesse_soules20 December 2020
A wild ride
sofiazerdev18 May 2021
What did I just watch! Wow lots of emotions and money spent on this film. Filmmaker poured his heart out into this and Larry was in to go to the next level but out at times really had me on edge. Great stuff guys this is one of the best off the wall type of documentaries I've seen. Please make more.
a documentary that goes off the rails (in the best of possible ways)!
Dr. Evil-718 November 2020
I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I first sat down to watch a film about....Onion Rings? But you quickly learn that the filmmaker (Zachary Capp) approaches the subject with the love & attention you would expect towards a legendary family member, highlighting the history & adoration of the inventor (Larry Lang) of the "World's Greatest Onion Rings" according to his small town community of Worthington, MN. The film quickly becomes a descent into madness as both the filmmaker & subject emotionally unravel on screen and it is up to the crew to step up in a mutiny & rescue the film. The film ultimately becomes the struggle of Larry's cognitive decline & Zach's relentless obsession to micro-manage Larry's life into the outcome Zach wants for his film.
Onion Madness
joozang29 March 2021
Wow
breecakermaker21 May 2021
Buying cameras and having an idea doesn't make you a filmmaker.
beezar-6680510 January 2021
Watch this to see a spoiled boy wearing adult clothes thinks if he buys cameras, throws money at a crew, and sports a backward-wearing Kangol cap he's a filmmaker. He's not.
This is not a documentary of Larry Lang. This is an ego-driven, people destroying, tramp through a person's life for the non-talented Zachs' own aggrandizement. There's not a boot big enough to kick that faux filmmaker's ass back to his manipulative home in his self-important dreamland. The crew of his excuse-making sycophants are equally deserving of shame.
By the end of this disaster you realize the only decent person in the whole documentary is Larry. All the rest are dingleberries on the buttholes of life.
This is not a documentary of Larry Lang. This is an ego-driven, people destroying, tramp through a person's life for the non-talented Zachs' own aggrandizement. There's not a boot big enough to kick that faux filmmaker's ass back to his manipulative home in his self-important dreamland. The crew of his excuse-making sycophants are equally deserving of shame.
By the end of this disaster you realize the only decent person in the whole documentary is Larry. All the rest are dingleberries on the buttholes of life.
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