The Jazzman

I typically enjoy Canadian films however I cannot really recommend The Jazzman because I find the acting (particularly Corey Sevier) poor for the most part. I also find the storyline not well developed, I found it too sparse. I realize there must have been a tight budget but the overall cinematography seems constrained and narrowly focused to me. I never felt a connection to the actors or the story while watching.

I do agree that the music was great and in some cases superb and that it helps the movie become more palatable. I think the storyline can be re-interpreted and possibly reworked for a remake of this movie that will make it a bigger success.

I have just finished viewing this film and will keep it to view again, since the music is superb. From the moment the film started the high standard of music was obvious right away, I was enchanted.

The movie opens with jazz music, a drum solo and a magnificent piece of saxophone playing. A child's life is affected right there! And the rest of the movie features amazing popular jazz melodies superbly arranged. Josh Koffman certainly knew what he was doing with regards to the music in this film.

I do not wish to write a spoiler or tell the story, but commend the mix of classical & jazz music, the beautiful saxophone and other instruments playing were the best I have ever heard in a Canadian production. Some visual scenes were also quite artistically presented. John walking in the school corridors in pace with music, the angle his little apartment is shot showing only the little spaces used when he comes home exhausted and other interesting angles. I am sure that other people will contribute more observations, but since I saw that no reviews were written yet, I am jumping in to give this effort its due credit.

I raise my hat to all the wonderful musicians who worked on this movie, and hope that many people will have a chance to appreciate this homage to a life of a musician.