“THROW Down Your Heart” follows Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck on a tour through four nations — Uganda, Tanzania, Gambia and Mali — in search of the instrument’s African roots.
At each stop, Fleck jams with local musicians, such as a woman who’s a whiz on the thumb piano, which sounds like the xylophone.
Fleck fails to provide any personal charisma, although the music is infectious.
The movie is at least 20 minutes too long. By the time Fleck gets to the final stop, Mali, the film, directed by Sascha Paladino (a half-brother of Fleck), has worn out its welcome.
“Throw Down Your Heart” is better suited to its eventual homes — DVD and cable — than the big screen.
Running time, 97 minutes. Not rated (nothing to worry about). At the IFC Center, Sixth Avenue and Third Street.