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IMDbPro

The Music Never Stopped

  • 2011
  • PG
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
8.9K
YOUR RATING
J.K. Simmons and Lou Taylor Pucci in The Music Never Stopped (2011)
Henry Sawyer (Simmons) looks to bond with his estranged son, Gabriel, who suffers from a brain tumor that prevents him from forming new memories. Sensing that Gabriel responds to music, Henry seeks out a music therapist, who discovers that when Gabriel listens to the rock music he loved, he reengages with the world.
Play trailer2:32
6 Videos
16 Photos
DramaMusic

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 b... Read allTale 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 t... Read allTale 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.

  • Director
    • Jim Kohlberg
  • Writers
    • Gwyn Lurie
    • Gary Marks
    • Oliver Sacks
  • Stars
    • Lou Taylor Pucci
    • J.K. Simmons
    • Julia Ormond
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    8.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jim Kohlberg
    • Writers
      • Gwyn Lurie
      • Gary Marks
      • Oliver Sacks
    • Stars
      • Lou Taylor Pucci
      • J.K. Simmons
      • Julia Ormond
    • 36User reviews
    • 55Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations total

    Videos6

    The Music Never Stopped
    Trailer 2:32
    The Music Never Stopped
    The Music Never Stopped: Clip 2
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    The Music Never Stopped: Clip 3
    The Music Never Stopped: Clip 1
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    The Music Never Stopped: Clip 1
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    Photos16

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    Top cast41

    Edit
    Lou Taylor Pucci
    Lou Taylor Pucci
    • Gabriel Sawyer
    J.K. Simmons
    J.K. Simmons
    • Henry Sawyer
    Julia Ormond
    Julia Ormond
    • Dianne Daley
    Cara Seymour
    Cara Seymour
    • Helen Sawyer
    Scott Adsit
    Scott Adsit
    • Dr. Biscow
    James Urbaniak
    James Urbaniak
    • Mike Tappin
    Max Antisell
    • Young Gabriel
    Ryan Karels
    • Bernie
    Peggy Gormley
    Peggy Gormley
    • Florence
    Tammy Blanchard
    Tammy Blanchard
    • Tamara
    Josh Segarra
    Josh Segarra
    • Mark Ferris
    Xander Johnson
    Xander Johnson
    • Weed
    Jesse Roche
    • Steve
    Erica Fae
    Erica Fae
    • College Representative
    • (as Erica Berg)
    Mía Maestro
    Mía Maestro
    • Celia
    Wade Mylius
    • Activist
    Lance Rubin
    • Rocker Dude
    Matt McCarthy
    Matt McCarthy
    • Carl
    • Director
      • Jim Kohlberg
    • Writers
      • Gwyn Lurie
      • Gary Marks
      • Oliver Sacks
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews36

    7.58.8K
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    Featured reviews

    AudioFileZ

    The Bridge That Is Music

    Like the father and son in this music I too share the love of music that was bequeathed to me by my father. And not unlike Gabriel (the son) and Henry (the father) in "The Music Never Stopped", I and my father were from two very different generations as my father was 45 when I was born. Still there was a very tangible connection we both shared that goes on till this very day whenever I indulge daily in that love. But, how powerful is music? Can it bridge bigger things it has no right to? Absolutely! The power of something that stirs the emotions inside can never be diminished and therein lays the power that so few experiences in life bring.

    With that as "rock" (pun definitely intended) solid premise "The Music Never Stops" weaves an utterly heartwarming story told expertly to ring true; it doesn't condescend into trite maudlin territory. It's a beautiful piece of work about a "lost" son, who with catastrophic loss of memory due to a brain tumor who is able to reconnect for periods of time with his dad when they share the magic of music embedded in his psyche. The father's love of his son allows him to transcend the generational difference as he becomes a "Deadhead". Much can be read into what occurs in the story and each viewer will have their own moments of the soul stirring emotions bound by a certain soundtrack. There is a great universal truth here and it is presented with economy which serves to elevate this as, perhaps, one of the best independent films of this year (2011), or any other for that matter.

    See this movie because it deserves your attention. You will see a tour De force by much beloved comedic character actor J.K. Simmons; witness him as you've never imagined him. I have total respect for this man after seeing his light touch bring the father, Henry, to life. Combine that with the amazingly nuanced and deft acting of Lou Taylor Pucci in a difficult role exposing the brittle nature of mental illness and alienation of the son Gabriel. What you get is pure synergism of these two great performances in a sparse but highly moving script. I can't give higher praise except that the music used was some of the best that we will ever witness. Highly recommended!
    cosmo_tiger

    An amazingly great movie about a father & son reconnecting through music. A must see movie! Watch it! I say A+

    "Music elicits measurable responses in the brain's activity" After Henry (Simmons) has a fight with his son Gabriel (Pucci), he decides that home is no longer for him and leaves. 20 years later Gabriel is found with a brain tumor that eliminates long term memory. After thinking he is still in the sixties his parents struggle to find a way to communicate with him. When a therapist discovers that music is the answer his parents have to adjust their lives to get their son back. This is an amazing movie. Much like "Barney's Version" and "Trust", this is a movie that didn't get the advertising that this deserved and will not be seen by the audience it should have. An extremely touching movie that deals with a strained father and son relationship, and the struggle to reconnect. There is not enough good things I can say about this movie. Much like "Trust" this is a movie that has the possibility of helping people and can become much more then just a movie. I cannot recommend this enough, do yourself a favor and watch this movie. You will be moved to tears and be left with an absolutely satisfying feeling. Why can't more movies be this way? Overall, one of the best movies in the last 10 years, and next to "Barney's Version" the best movie of the year. I easily give it an A+.

    Would I watch again? - Absolutely.

    *Also try - Barney's Version & Mr. Holland's Opus
    10polexia_rogue

    I will get by

    The idea is hope. The year is 1986 and Gabe, a mid 30's former hippe has just been located after 20 years on the road. His parents are typical; his father was a war veteran who thinks that nothing he did was ever wrong and his mother just wished she knew the right words to say.

    Through music the characters learn what is important; the moments to remember, the moments to change, the moments that will scuplt their souls.

    I cannot express enough how uplifting this movie was. Anyone who is a fan of music and anyone who just needs a bright spot in their day needs to see this.
    10CinemaPat

    Wonderful story with brilliant performances

    "(Rhythm) is there in the cycles of the seasons, in the migrations of the birds and animals, in the fruiting and withering of plants, and in the birth, maturation and death of ourselves," -Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead)

    What is it about music that resonates so much with people? Is it chemical? A part of the brain that responds to the frequencies and rhythm of certain sounds played in a progression? Or, is it just the fact that it makes one "feel" something? Music, like any other form of art brings out a "feeling" in the one experiencing it. Those feelings will be different for everyone and some will be permanently effected by them. Music can do many things. It can heal, damage, make you dance, give you a headache and even make you "high". According to many music therapists, it can also help recall memories. "The Music Never Stopped" explores this phenomenon beautifully and is a testament to our souls connection with our music. Set in the 80's with flashbacks to the 60's and 70's "The Music Never Stopped" has some of the best music from the bands of that era. The film runs the gamete of emotions and has some powerful performances from the actors and classic bands such as The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles.

    Gabriel, a 30 something man with a brain tumor is unable to form new memories. He can remember his life growing up, playing music and following his favorite bands around the country, but he can't remember what his nurse just said to him 5 minutes ago. Lou Tayler Pucci plays the down to earth "hippie" Gabriel graciously and I was very impressed with his performance. He was subtle but beautifully represented those of us obsessed with music and it's meanings. I felt a real connection with Gabriel and his relationship with his father Henry, played impeccably by J.K. Simmons. They have such an interesting and ever-changing dynamic, it was a pleasure to watch it all unfold. Henry is devastated by the diagnosis Gabriel has received and feels helpless. That is until he see's Gabriel's eyes light up at the sound of a familiar piece of music. He realizes that through music he can connect once again with his son and hopefully repair their broken relationship.

    Based on the case study "The Last Hippie" by Dr. Oliver Sacks, "The Music Never Stopped" is a wonderful story and I highly recommend it. It pulls on the heart strings of young and old alike bringing them together with the power of great music. With a PG rating, "The Music Never Stopped" doesn't feel like an after school special on father and son relationships. It's obvious that the lesson goes much deeper than that. The film is about connecting to each other through music and taking the time to understand each other through that medium. The father/son dynamic is the ideal setting to get this point across and there are some very dramatic scenes that may bring a tear to your eye. It sure did for me.
    10mbraun-1

    Grateful Dead on a shoestring budget wonderful

    It's 1987, and when a long-absent son turns up with a brain tumor that robs him of immediate memory, his father (JK Simmons) struggles to deal with the past through the eyes of a son who is frozen in memories.

    OK, Dead fans know the title; if you're of a generation that listened to vinyl, here's your homage to the power of records and the 60s.

    Small budget written all over this, that is all heart and talented talent that has talent. Did I mention talent? Having seen it at Sundance Chicago, the director explained that he'd been studying neurological science material and THAT is reflected in how uncommonly well the young actor, Gabe, nails his role as a person whose brain injury sometimes clicks on... and off. Director spoke about the editing down of the tale, and I think we'd really like to see it expanded back to a longer film; there's a few lessons here worthy of more screen time.

    There's a jaw-dropping "how'd they do that?" in here worthy of cheers and worth the ticket price. Hope they "expand" that for the DVD!!!

    This is a great little film without special effects but packed with the true mastery of a small story told very, emotionally, well. Familiar faces deliver for all they're worth and well-done filmmakers techniques bless MUSIC with obvious "extra efforts" that put all of the money up on the screen.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the essay "The Last Hippie" from Dr. Oliver Sacks's book, "An Anthropologist on Mars."
    • Goofs
      When Gabriel and his Dad are playing the song "Uncle John's Band" from the Grateful Dead album Workingman's Dead, the needle on the record player is at the very end of the LP. The song is actually the first track on the album, so the needle should be near the outer edge of the LP.
    • Quotes

      Helen Sawyer: Are we ready? I've got the medication.

      Dianne Daley: I've got the bag.

      Gabriel Sawyer: I've got the brain tumor.

    • Connections
      References The Partridge Family (1970)
    • Soundtracks
      Young At Heart
      Written by Carolyn Leigh & Johnny Richards

      Performed by Bing Crosby

      Published by Cherio Corporation, June's Tunes & Ocheri Publishing Corporation

      Courtesy of HLC Properties, Ltd.

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    FAQ19

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • October 27, 2011 (South Korea)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Essential Pictures (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mr. Tamburine Man
    • Production companies
      • Essential Pictures
      • Mr. Tamborine Man
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $258,223
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $76,543
      • Mar 20, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $342,202
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 45m(105 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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