Thank God "The Music Never Stopped"

The Music Never Stopped

2011

Remember the song that was playing the first time you fell in love? The lullaby your mother sang to you? The tears that well up every time a favorite hymn or anthem is sung? Music has so much unmeasured power over our emotions and memories, it is hard to imagine what life would be like if there was no music.

“The Music Never Stopped” is a small, independent film based on a true story that brings that point home. Henry and Helen Sawyer have not seen their grown son for years. Gabriel left home during the turbulent 60’s after arguing with his father over the Viet Nam war. They had little in common except for their love of music. Of course, by the time Gabriel was in his teens, he had stowed his father’s Big Band albums on the shelf and was passionately involved with The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and other rock bands and balladeers.

Jump forward several decades. An untreated brain tumor has brought Gabriel back home. Gone are the young man’s memories from the years apart. How can Henry and Helen now connect with their only son?

It’s all about the music.

If you don’t recognize the name J.K. Simmons as Henry, you’ll certainly recognize his face (as a long time character actor and regular on “The Closer”). His portrayal as an anguished father is so spot on you might think “The Music Never Stops” is a documentary. Lou Taylor Pucci as Gabriel brings warmth and believability to a difficult role. Supporting performances by Julia Ormond and Cara Seymour complete the multi-layered tiers of emotions dictated by Gabriel’s frustrating medical condition.   

“The Music Never Stops” is about relationships, memories, parenting, and medicine. But most important – it’s all about the music.