Meet the Small Potatoes 2013

The film unfolds as a mockumentary-style chronicle of The Small Potatoes, a band of anthropomorphic singing potatoes, weaving together candid talking-head segments with playful on-the-street interviews from fans who are potatoes and from the band’s inner circle. At the heart of the story is the long-time manager Lester Koop and one of the band’s standout members, Jasper, whose voices and perspectives shape the rhythm of the documentary as it traces the group’s improbable journey. The result is a warmly observant portrait that stays grounded in the personalities of its potato-rock ensemble while offering a light, satirical look at fame.

The narrative tracks a remarkable voyage through American popular music, mapped across several decades with a steady sense of evolution and reinvention. The Small Potatoes begin as a country and western outfit in Idaho during the 1940s, then pivot to rock and roll and doo-wop in the 1950s. Their peak comes in the 1960s, when they adopt a British invasion–style swagger, before venturing into psychedelic experimentation after a transformative trip to India. Throughout these shifts, the film makes room for the band’s internal dynamics, showing how time, taste, and circumstance pressure their sound and identity.

Central to the drama is recurring tension between Ruby, the frontwoman, and Nate, the songwriter, as they clash over the band’s image. Olaf, the heavy potato, battles with his weight—a challenge Lester tries to help him manage—while Chip serves as the quiet, detached voice of reason within the group. These personal strains run alongside musical ambitions, creating a push-pull that keeps the band’s trajectory both compelling and fragile.

As the 1970s unfold, the conflict between Nate and Ruby intensifies. Ruby leans into a diva persona and pushes to reshape the act around her, steering them toward disco. Nate, in contrast, argues for maintaining social relevance through a punk-inflected edge. The frictions culminate in the 1980s during an era of heavy commercialization when Ruby persuades the group to lend their name to a line of children’s toys. The toy venture backfires as the products prove poorly manufactured and fail to win over fans, triggering a widespread backlash and ultimately tearing the group apart.

Following the breakup, most members drift into ordinary jobs, while Ruby rebrands herself as a Britney Spears–style solo pop act in the 1990s. Although her fame persists, the dissolution of old friendships casts a shadow, and she grapples with the sense of loss that comes with fading relevance. The digital era of the 2000s brings a surprising resurgence in popularity on the internet, inspiring Chip, Olaf, and Nate to reunite for a comeback tour. The reunion gains an emotional twist when Ruby unexpectedly returns for the opening night, singing with the reunited group and signaling an end to old hostilities. With tensions resolved, Lester steps in once more to arrange a full comeback tour, offering a hopeful note that the band’s legend can endure beyond its most turbulent years.