"Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story" doesn't follow one musical artist, but instead covers a signature American music festival.
Film leans on tired tropes of music documentaries and gives us a surface-level ad for the festival.
It's a somewhat effective ad, but the film is utterly uncurious to examine the commercialization of the event.
Documentary "Jazz Fest" shows a variety of musical talents performing in an environment you are jealous you didn't attend.
The film wisely gives a fair amount of time to these artists, many of whom are New Orleans locals.
A personal favorite was a performance from Tank and the Bangas, a group that blends together funk, hip-hop, spoken word, and rock all in one.
The film is overloaded with talking heads from dozens upon dozens of musicians.
It's when the film turns its focus on the major acts that it loses its way.
This is not the man you want as the figurehead for a jazz festival.
Pitbull is the only artist who gets to perform more than one number during the film.
"Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story" is intended to celebrate just one thing, and that is the festival itself.
Film wants to be an uncomplicated space where people can come and have a good time for a week of music and food.
When you are watching these people perform their music on stage with verve, conviction, and joy, it can be a beautiful thing.
It's when they turn the camera away from the stages you find hollowness.