The Music Never Stopped

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Ola G Henry Sawyer (J.K. Simmons) and his wife, Helen (Cara Seymour) learn that their only son, Gabriel (Lou Taylor Pucci) has been hospitalized with a brain tumor. They have not seen Gabriel in nearly twenty years; as a teenager, Gabriel left the house following an argument with his father. They learn that their son, who had been living as a homeless drifter, suffers from anterograde amnesia due to his tumor and is unable to recall much of his past or gain any new memories. Meanwhile, Henry is made redundant at his workplace, and though he is reluctant to see Gabriel often due to their prior estrangement, Helen begins working in order to pay for Gabriel's treatment, and presses Henry to visit Gabriel daily at his care facility in order to take a more active role in his progress... Ty Burr of The Boston Globe remarked the film was "one to remember", also calling it "sentimental, yet so honest and eccentric that it rises above schmaltz". Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club compared the film's story to The King's Speech, giving praise to J.K. Simmons and Lou Taylor Pucci and calling the film a "powerful, even shattering look at music's power to unite where it once divided". (Via Wikipedia) "The Music Never Stopped" is based on the essay "The Last Hippie" from Dr. Oliver Sacks's book, "An Anthropologist on Mars." The foundation is the character Gabriel suffering from a neurological disorder trapped within due to a brain tumour, but who manage to respond beyond his limitations when stimulated with music specifically the music he listened to as young man in the late 60s/early 70s. The issue here is that while the storyline is there, the movie doesn't convince you at all over what you see on the screen. The dramatic and emotional impact is not there which is what I was expecting. A lot of ugly wigs, fake beards and a misfire of trying to portray the 60s that has no authenticity whatsoever clouds the experience. J.K. Sawyer (normally a great actor) and Lou Taylor Pucci are not really believable in their roles as Henry and Gabriel Sawyer either in my book. Then it doesn't matter if the film is based on a true story, if the film is not convincing you of what's shown on the silver screen. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/23/24 Full Review Nahuel F Gran filme independiente! Llena de sentimientos, alma y amor a la música psicodélica, está película logra robarse nuestros corazones, plantando una trama muy desgarradora acerca de los problemas paternales y el como estos pueden desaparecer con tan solo platicar y escuchar. Las actuaciones son una maravilla, el guion es impecable, se nota el trabajo de dirección e investigación que pusieron en producción. J.K. Simons se roba el filme mostrándonos su lado más sensible y compasivo. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/21/21 Full Review Audience Member This movie surprised me. I almost gave up on it but I didn't and I was glad because it took me places I wasn't expecting to go. On top of that it is based on a true story... wow. The music was great also😎 Based on a short story by Oliver Sacks. I mean come on who doesn't love a tale by the great Oliver Sacks... Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member I've never seen a movie where I've had tears from start to finish. A movie about a father and son, across generations during the 60's, and music became the solution to address a broken relationship. A huge display of repairing what may break when we don't expect it, because things break for everyone.... even though they may not admit it! Damn. I'll watch this one again!! 10+ Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/20 Full Review Audience Member Amazing movie! I don't know why it was never in large theaters. Such a feel good movie. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review mauro l Based on a short story/essay by neuropsychiatrist Oliver Sacks, the film is about a brain rehabilitation through music therapy. The tragic paradox experienced by the protagonist is that the more he manages to recover the 25 years of memory lost with the encephalic tumor, the more he becomes aware of sad or deadly events. (Mauro Lanari) Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Music Never Stopped

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