Review of The Music Never Stopped (2011) by Philip S — 04 Nov 2011

The Music Never Stopped is a tearjerker, plain and simple. It doesn't fit perfectly into the standard tearjerker mold. That's not a bad thing. But it's still a tearjerker nontheless. The story is centered around the relationship between Henry (J.K. Simmons--Spiderman 1-3), and his son, Gabriel (Lou Taylor Pucci). That father son dynamic is nothing new to Hollywood. However, the way in which their story unfolded at least was. Add in a soundtrack of classic rock standards, and audiences get a movie that while hardly being the most memorable, is worth at least one watch.

Music is said to be the universal language. And in The Music Never Stopped, that's proven even truer than ever. Not only does the use of music help Gabriel recover from a debilitating brain tumor, it also plays the centerpiece in healing the long broken relationship between Henry and Gabriel. When Gabriel was a teen, it was music that led their relationship to become broken. And by story's end, it was ironically that same music that brought the pair back together before a rather predictable--and unnecessary--extended ending. Save for that one glaring negative, and the whole concept of the torn father/son dynamic, the story is at least somewhat original.

If not for the use of Gabriel's music therapy sessions, The Music Never Stopped would have been just another indie flick. Yes, it already is an indie flick. But the fact that it actually used an original story makes it original to a point. The use of the flashbacks actually serves to help explain how things got to where they did between Henry and Gabriel. The transitions are written tastefully enough that audiences don't have to question wether they're watching the pst or present. The music used in his sessions is another positive to the story. Music of the 1960's and 1970's is some of the most original music ever written. Seeing its effect on Gabriel illustrates the power of music in every day life.

For all the positive that the story boasts, the story between Henry and Gabriel is anything but original. Such a plot has been done and re-done year in and year out from one movie to the next. It leaves little doubt about the story being a tearjerker. And the movie's end--which won't be revealed here--went much longer than it should have. Had it wrapped with the "first ending", rather than tagging on a "second ending", it would have left a much better taste in audiences' mouths. That bad taste, combined with a rather melancholy vibe throughout the story, makes for a movie that while it's touching and heartwarming is largely forgettable.

The Music Never Stopped is largely forgettable. But it isn't an entirely terrible story. The movie's soundtrack makes for one heck of a listen for fans of classic rock. And the use of music therapy to both heal Gabriel's brain, and his relationship with Henry is original in its own right. Aside from that, this story is little more than just another glorified tearjerker flick. Despite that, it's still worth at least one watch.