The Music Never Stopped (2011)

Tale of a father who struggles to bond with his estranged son Gabriel, after Gabriel suffers from a brain tumor that prevents him from forming new memories. With Gabriel unable to shed the ... See full summary »

Director:

Jim Kohlberg

Writers:

Gwyn Lurie (screenplay), Gary Marks (screenplay)

Stars:

Lou Taylor Pucci, J.K. Simmons, Julia Ormond

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
J.K. Simmons	...	Henry Sawyer
Cara Seymour	...	Helen Sawyer
Lou Taylor Pucci	...	Gabriel Sawyer
Scott Adsit	...	Dr. Biscow
James Urbaniak	...	Mike Tappin
Max Antisell	...	Young Gabriel
Ryan Karels	...	Bernie
Peggy Gormley	...	Florence
Tammy Blanchard	...	Tamara
Josh Segarra	...	Mark Ferris
Xander Johnson	...	Weed
Jesse Roche	...	Steve
Julia Ormond	...	Dianne Daley
Erica Fae	...	College Representative (as Erica Berg)
Mía Maestro	...	Celia

Storyline

Tale of a father who struggles to bond with his estranged son Gabriel, after Gabriel suffers from a brain tumor that prevents him from forming new memories. With Gabriel unable to shed the beliefs and interests that caused their physical and emotional distance, Henry must learn to embrace his son's choices and try to connect with him through music.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements, some mild drug references, language and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Essential Pictures [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 2011 (South Korea)

Also Known As:

Untitled Oliver Sacks Project

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$76,543, 20 March 2011, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$258,077, 11 September 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

Essential Pictures, Mr. Tamborine Man

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the essay "The Last Hippie" from Dr. Oliver Sacks's book, "An Anthropologist on Mars."

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Goofs

Takes place in 1986, but in the hospital at the nurses desk there are flat screen computer monitors running modern software.

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Quotes

Henry Sawyer: They don't just play the notes on the page.
Gabriel Sawyer: No, they play what's in the air, you know?

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Connections

References The Partridge Family (1970)

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Soundtracks

Christmas Wish
Written by Joey Spampinato
Performed by NRBQ
Published by Hi Varieties Music Inc. & Music Sales Corp.
Courtesy of NRBQ by arrangement with Bug

User Reviews

Incredible Film! Must see for music lovers, and everyone else!

The Music Never Stopped is a beautiful film based on a true story about the relationship between father and son, and between music and the brain. J.K. Simmons and Lou Taylor Pucci deliver incredible performances as estranged father and son, Henry and Gabriel. (Slight spoilers follow, but all information can be found within the first 20 minutes or so of the film.) The two both have a great love for music, but their relationship falls apart as Gabriel gets wrapped up in the hippie culture of the 60's and the Grateful Dead. When Gabriel gets a brain tumor as an adult, music therapy is used to improve his memory, which has been destroyed in the removal of the tumor.

This movie has a great soundtrack, full of the classic rock music of the late 60's. This is certainly a music-lovers film! If your favorite song takes you back to the moment you heard it, this is a film for you! If music touches your soul, this is a must see!

If you don't love the music of the late 60's, you will still find this film a moving piece of art. The relationships between each character are authentic and personal. It is an absolute must see! *Reviewed from Sundance screening*