Rebecca Redshaw

“The Music Never Stopped”
2011
Remember the song that was playing the first time you fell in love? The lullaby your mother sang to you? The tears that well up every time a favorite hymn or anthem is sung? Music has so much unmeasured power over our emotions and memories, it is hard to imagine what life would be like if there were no music.
“The Music Never Stopped” is a small, independent film based on a true story that brings that point home. Henry and Helen Sawyer have not seen their grown son for years. Gabriel left home during the turbulent 1960s after arguing with his father over the Vietnam War. They had little in common except for their love of music. Of course, by the time Gabriel was in his teens, he had stowed his father’s Big Band albums on the shelf and passionately was involved with The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and other rock bands and balladeers.
Jump forward several decades. An untreated brain tumor has brought Gabriel back home. So many years have passed the tumor now was untreatable. Gone are the young man’s memories from the years apart. How can Henry and Helen now connect with their only son?
It’s all about the music.
If you don’t recognize the name J.K. Simmons as Henry, you’ll certainly recognize his face (as a longtime character actor and regular on “The Closer”). His portrayal as an anguished father is so spot on you might think “The Music Never Stops” is a documentary. Lou Taylor Pucci as Gabriel brings warmth and believability to a difficult role. Supporting performances by Julia Ormond and Cara Seymour complete the multi-layered tiers of emotions dictated by Gabriel’s frustrating medical condition.
“The Music Never Stops” is about relationships, memories, parenting and medicine. But most importantly — it’s all about the music.
 
“Vitus”
2006 (subtitled)
If there were any fear of working with children on screen, it isn’t apparent in “Vitus.” In fact, director Fredi M. Murer cast two young boys in this Swiss film and they both will steal your heart. Murer, along with Peter Luisi, wrote the story of Vitus, a musical genius and the struggles his “normal” parents have in coping with his extraordinary talent.
Fabrizio Borsani, as 6-year-old Vitus, catches the eye (and ear) of friends and family at a birthday party when he plunks out “Happy Birthday” on a toy piano. Though his parents struggle with his exceptional talent, his grandfather (Bruno Ganz) creates the bond we all long for with a grandparent.
As the more “grown up” 12-year-old Vitus, Teo Gheorghiu debuts on screen with charm and believability. His talent as a concert pianist is explored and enjoyed to the fullest by director Murer, who has no need for quick cuts away from the keyboard. Gheorghiu is an accomplished pianist for sure, but he brings an endearing charm to the challenge of being treated like a “normal” kid when expectations for his talent are set so high.
There are clever twists and turns in “Vitus” and if you are looking for an ideal film to introduce the youngsters in your family to a subtitled movie, this one would be terrific.

“Mr. Holland’s Opus”
1995
Most people remember a favorite teacher. If you were a jock, it might have been your high school coach. If you were a geek (now referred to as the multi-millionaire computer genius) and in the chess club, it might have been your club sponsor. And, if you were in the band or chorus, it probably was the choral or band conductor.
“Mr. Holland’s Opus” covers a span of 30 years and the life and times of Glenn Holland (Richard Dreyfus) as a music teacher. Holland’s original career plan was to compose music, but as the years passed “life” got in the way; marriage and soon after a young son and all the expenses that challenge most young families. In spite of his initial reluctance to devote himself to the classroom, he finds that he actually can share his love of music and make a difference in young people’s lives.
Holland gets satisfaction helping numerous young students (Alicia Witt, Terence Howard, and, don’t blink, a young Forest Whitaker included) all the while being frustrated by his own son’s inability to hear.
Actors Glenne Headly, Olympia Dukakis, William H. Macy and Jay Thomas are a strong supporting cast for Dreyfus as he ages gracefully on the screen.
If the outcome of “Mr. Holland’s Opus” is a little predictable and maybe even saccharine for your taste, the reality of the lack of financial support for the arts in today’s schools offers room for contemplation and what generations to come may be missing.
*NOTE: As a former music teacher, I want to acknowledge the excellent music programs in our peninsula schools and encourage our continued support for their success. Bravo!

Rebecca Redshaw is an author and playwright who worked for 25 years in the film industry in Los Angeles. Copies of her book, SOFA CINEMA: An Easy Guide to DVDs, may be purchased at the Sequim Gazette. She can be reached at r2redshaw@hotmail.com.