Mavis!

A spirited and captivating bio-doc that richly deserves the exclamation point in its title.

Richness, warmth and tenderness pulse from this lovely documentary.

It’s short on personal details and instead focuses on the performer’s vocation. And when the concert footage slows the doc’s energy down, Mavis’s zest adds buoyancy to the proceedings.

Mavis! is maybe too short and too plain, but it covers a lot of ground and contains a lot of great music. It's a fitting tribute to a true American original, belatedly getting her due.

Although Mavis! doesn't quite have the same scope as the extraordinary vocal range of its magnetic, all-round wonderful subject, her zest for life, exuberance and good nature have clearly rubbed off on Edwards and it's likely they will on audiences too.

Brimful of glorious sounds, this affectionate fan letter says as much about Pops Staples's artistic and political evolution as it does about his devoted daughter, one of the all-time greats.

There are a few lovely scenes: Mavis listening to a new mix of one of her father’s last recordings is heartbreaking. For old-soul fans, Mavis! is a must.