What separates the mock documentaries of Christopher Guest from other like-minded comedies is the sense that he has some genuine affection for the characters and material. Not that he doesn't take shots at them, mind you — and his latest, the folk-music goof "A Mighty Wind" finds him taking aim at a constant clip.

At times the film is goofier than it is funny. And the huge cast is so unwieldy that it means Guest regulars Parker Posey and Larry Miller don't get as much to do as you might hope.

But there's a real sweetness and tenderness that was missing from his previous film, "Best in Show." And while "Mighty Wind" might not be as outright funny as "Waiting for Guffman," it's still much funnier than the vast majority of today's movie comedies.

The film's title refers to folk music fostered by late musical entrepreneur Irving Steinbloom. His children have been busy organizing a tribute, in the form of a one-night concert featuring some of his biggest acts.

Easier said than done. While the Folksmen (Guest and Spinal Tap cohorts Michael McKean and Harry Shearer) are happy to oblige, the Main Street Singers have broken up — and have been replaced by a newer version with a real pain-in-the-neck manager (Fred Willard).

Then there's Mitch and Mickey (Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara), possibly the most successful of Steinbloom's "folkies" — the couple split up in the late '60s and haven't exactly stayed in touch since then. But it get worse. It turns out Mitch has been institutionalized for several years. And even though he's been released, he doesn't really seem to be up to performing.

As with "This is Spinal Tap," which Guest wrote but didn't direct, "Mighty Wind" features a number of original songs — most of them co-written by Guest, McKean and Levy (who also receives a co-screenwriting credit). They do an effective job of both parodying and paying tribute to such real-life acts as the Christy Minstrels and Peter, Paul and Mary.

As does the movie itself, which has several laugh-out-loud moments. Several of those come from Bob Balaban, who plays Steinbloom's rather neurotic son. But Levy gets his share, playing the shell-shocked musician, as does the always dependable Willard. In a smaller role, Jennifer Coolidge puts in a bid to steal the film as a clueless public-relations consultant.

"A Mighty Wind" is rated PG-13 for some crude humor, most of it sexual (fairly tame by today's standards), simulated sex (overheard for comic effect) and scattered use of profanity. Running time: 92 minutes.

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