Session Man

Short films usually start behind the eight ball-the reason they're ‘short' is generally lack of funds and/or lack of experience. But when you see a short film produced by Chanticleer you know you're watching a film by the very best, a company that takes pride in this medium, and excels in it.

When a short film clicks, it's poetry in motion--quick, to the point, boom, boom, boom--the story drives forward, the viewer caught up in it all.

If I've seen Session Man once, I've seen it fifty times, really--it's just that good-no nuance unexplored, or ignored, a beautiful combination of drama and music. It doesn't hurt that it's a great film about rock n roll music-what a rarity that is.

A chart topping Rock band are in the middle of a recording session and their difficult guitarist is making it difficult for everybody. A veteran session ace is hired to fill in should things fall out. Matters heat up, the band ditch their axeman and hired hand makes his entrance. Fate turns in his favor; will be get the gig? A slice of life realism on the music business "Session Man" is a compelling look on the recording industry. Good acting with the awkward lead actor who looks like he picked up the guitar for the first time and seems on the verge of a panic attack at any moment. Nice to see Chad Smith in a starring role. The music the band played is the type a band from Seattle obliterated from that great time but it's all good fun. The only tangle is the disappointing and abrupt ending which makes the film end in a pedestrian and predictable manner. This would have worked best as a full length rather than a short. Winner for Best Short Film in the 1992 Oscars this is a good half hour treat for Rock and music fans.

I saw this film years ago and thought it was very interesting. I know the hours that musicians keep are not normal banking hours and this film makes a subtle nod to that. The emotional ride of the main character is the reason that I see this film being an Academy Award winner. Well worth the study for any film student on telling a story.

Where can I buy a copy of this film? I only saw it once many years ago, and being a guitar player I have never been able to get it out of my head. It's as true as true gets. Every thing about this movie speaks to those of us who struggle to justify all that we go through as musicians. Just recently events in my life have me asking the same questions that the movie illustrates. I have looked all over the internet and have been unable to find a copy of this movie for sale. You would think that being an Acadamy award winner there would be a big enough market for a film such as this. I think it speaks volumes about what it's like what we go through not only as artist, but also life itself. Thanks in advance for any help I can get in finding this film.

Mark

Emotional wild ride of the possibilities of joining a great rock band. Well sho, edited and casted. Based around the time of real rock band Guns N Roses were having some notable in fighting. Well worth the view if you can find it.