Title: The Music Never Stopped

Starring: J.K. Simmons, Lou Taylor Pucci, Julia Ormond, Cara Seymour, Mia Maestro, Tammy Blanchard

A 2011 Sundance favorite, the 105 minute “The Music Never Stopped” descended upon Tampa Bay at the 5th annual Gasparilla International Film Festival. Some will say this flick is the quintessential film festival selection. Which is true for the most part. However, this story of musical healing will ironically pull on more than just guitar strings. It tugs on the heart as well.

Henry and Helen Sawyer (J.K. Simmons & Cara Seymour) receive a call that their son Gabriel (Lou Taylor Pucci) is hospitalized with a serious brain tumor. Their reaction is tough to read, for Gabriel “ran away” from home at the age of 18 and his parents haven’t seen him since. When they learn about the damage the tumor and forthcoming operation will have on Gabriel, their entire way of life is going to change. Gabriel – who embraced the hippie lifestyle of the late ’60s – has not been seen in 20 years, and Henry is kind of reluctant and/or unsure how he should handle the current situation. Helen on the other hand is ready to give her full support and do whatever is necessary.

After the operation is performed, Gabriel’s mind will never be the same again. His ability to form new memories are gone, and he barely realizes what is going on around him. While this is happening, Henry and Helen are drifting apart, as they both cope with this issue in their own unique way. That is until Gabriel starts reacting to music. Upon hearing a tune from his childhood, he breaks out of his coma-like trance and miraculously is able to recall events (seen in multiple flashback sequences) that happened around the time frame he listened to that particular song. Henry starts to come around and believes that by retracing Gabriel’s musical memories, could restore that part of his brain that has been destroyed to a certain extent.

Henry becomes inspired and seeks out a college professor in Dianne Daley (Julia Ormond), who has worked with patients like Gabriel. By using methodical dose of playing records from Gabriel’s past, he slowly progresses. Leading the father and son to reconcile on their tumultuous past.

First off, this isn’t just a made up concept. The flick is based off an essay by noted neurologist Oliver Sacks. The guy did an abundance of studies on this subject matter and scribes Gwyn Lurie and Gary Marks took his methods and insulated them with a nice character drama. The blending of timely comedic one-liners with raw sadness will keep the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. A few scenes you’ll feel for everyone involved in the situation, but then have a fun and uplifting moment as the Gabriel character comes to life in a manner of speaking. That angle of seeing Gabriel being aware that he has a handicap, enables him to transform into an endearing figure the audience is compelled to latch onto.

Sticking with performances, does J.K. Simmons ever have a sub-par performance? It’s tough to pinpoint one. In this piece, the guy’s physical demeanor tells more than his actual dialogue. Now granted, the dialogue isn’t as powerful as it could be. But it does enough to keep this steadily paced story moving along, despite a few rough changes here and there.

Best way to sum this piece is up is to draw on the similarities of a band performing live. Think of a musical act, playing a song that isn’t one of their hits. It’s not flashy and the band’s stage presence tends to drop off a bit. But somehow, that one will stick with the audience, cause its unique and passionate.

If that example wasn’t jiving with you, think of when a band does an extended “jam” of a certain song. The first few minutes of the song has the energy and lures one in like always. Then they get to the extended jam portion (2nd act in the film terms), and the pacing and energy tailed off. Every element just gets scaled back. Therefore, the audience wonders when they’ll kick it into gear again and elevate the levels. Or question if this execution is leading anywhere. This feeling will occur as the viewer will be constantly brought back into the nursing home where Gabriel is working with Dianne and his father. Once the story evolves, the climatic sequence quietly enters in and humbly brings this show to a feel-good close.

Overall, “The Music Never Stopped” is simple and at times, powerful. To the point where one can overlook a few faulty movie mechanics. Kind of like a Slash guitar solo.

Technical: C

Overall: B

Review by Joe Belcastro