The Music Never Stopped
The music and the tears never stopped in this Grateful Dead
meets Life as a House masterpiece. We have
J.K. Simmons as the father - Henry Sawyer, Lou Taylor Pucci as the son - Gabriel Sawyer,
and Julia Ormond as the therapist - Dianne Daley. This is a drama, not a musical, but the music
in the film is like taking a trip back to Forrest Gump.
Gabriel has been away from his family for 20 years. His parents get a call because he is in the
hospital and he has a brain tumor. The
tumor is removed and his memory is shot.
Henry reads an article about therapy through music and Gabriel is united
with Dianne Daley for the therapy and makes tremendous breakthroughs. The ensuing story is about the therapy and
the family bonding.
The story was well written and the lead males (father and
son) performed admirably. They carried
the film on a small budget and marvelous directing. The Dead Heads in the audience were thrilled
to have some quality sound tracks and an easy film to appreciate. The in your face performance from Pucci made
viewers think he was truly ill.
It is hard to find much fault in the film. If viewers are unfamiliar with the era of
music (1950-1980’s rock) then they may not appreciate the music, but they can
still appreciate the movie. I was hoping
for a more intense story, but it wasn’t necessary. There was some jumping back and forth in time,
but it was needed for a thorough and timely understanding. There
was political humor and family dynamics was worthy of some chuckles.
There wasn’t a dry eye by the end of the movie. The exclusion of those who are too young to
drive makes it not quite a family movie, even with the PG rating. I don’t see this one bringing home any
Oscars, but I do see it being shared amongst friends when it is out on
DVD. If you enjoy Life as a House, In
America, or other dramas in the genre, then sign up for “The Music Never
Stopped.” There is a CycloneMovies.com
promotional screening on 3/31/11. 4 out
of 5 Cyclones for this well done drama.
I was advised to shorten my critiques so they are quicker....gimme time. ill get em shortened and dialed in. Thanks for following and reading!
ReplyDeleteThe Music Never Stopped
ReplyDeleteA brain tumor and a generation gap can’t keep a pig-headed father (JK Simmons) from trying to reconnect with his estranged son after 25 years. Music therapy (from Dylan, the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, etc.) is used to simulate the mind of a severe amnesiac and take us on a trip down memory lane. If you were born around 1951, you will really relate to the music and the times portrayed in this touching bittersweet story of a father/son relationship. As in the song "Amazing Grace", once he was lost and now he is found. Feel the music.
Alien gives it 3 "Uncle John’s band" stars out of 4.