Greetings again from the darkness. With the mere mention of Jimmy Buffett, we immediately envision a sea of ‘Parrot heads’ sipping margaritas and having a blast as they sing along to the feel-good coastal tunes being played at a sunny outdoor venue. The beloved singer passed away three years ago, and now documentarian John H Cunningham provides an in-depth look at the early days. This is the origin story of the cultural phenomenon that Buffett built with his band … The Coral Reefers.
Oscar winner Jeff Bridges is a fitting narrator, and throughout the film we hear from former band members, those who were influenced by Buffett, and those who collaborated. A partial list includes guitarist Roger Bartlett, singers Deborah McColl and Mac McAnally, music producer Norbert Putnam, songwriter Keith Sykes, and country music star Kenny Chesney. What is immediately obvious is the respect these folks had for Buffett and their appreciation for having been associated with him, and his role in creating his own genre of music.
The stories from the 1970’s are fascinating. Sure, partying was central to the lifestyle – especially after Buffett relocated from Nashville to Key West, but it’s the associations and exchanges between musicians of the era that really strike a chord. Connections with Glenn Frey of The Eagles and the great James Taylor were important, and in fact, legend has it that Timothy B Schmitt was the first to use the ‘Parrot heads’ moniker. Filmmaker Cunningham is correct in titling this ‘The First Coral Reefers’, because there was certainly band turnover – some of it caused by the excessive partying of the time.
What the film does best is recount the foundation of the music, the band, the early albums, the changes in attitude (get it?), and the growth of a loyal fan base. The film ends with a list of former Coral Reefers who have ‘sailed on’, and Cunningham’s film will live on as a history of how Jimmy Buffett’s music became synonymous with “fun”. That’s not such a bad legacy.
The film will begin its theatrical release in major cities in early September timed to Jimmy Buffett Day (September 4, 2026) with a TVOD/ digital release to follow in October in the US/Canada.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 