Watch The Music Never Stopped

"The Music Never Stopped" is a heartwarming drama film from 2011 directed by Jim Kohlberg, based on the Oliver Sacks essay "The Last Hippie." The movie starts with Henry Sawyer (played by Lou Taylor Pucci), who in 1986 runs away from home, due to a conflict with his father (J.K. Simmons). After two decades of being estranged, Henry is found in a New York mental hospital, diagnosed with a brain tumor that affected his memory, leaving him unable to form new memories.

The movie revolves around the relationship between Henry and his father, Gabe Sawyer. As a result of the brain tumor, Henry's short term memory had been lost, and he could only remember events that happened before 1970 - the year he left home. But Gabe's aim was to reconnect with his son and rekindle their lost father-son bond. He comes up with an unconventional plan to do so.

Gabe discovers that his son's memory is still intact when it comes to old rock 'n' roll music. Henry quickly recognizes songs, and he can sing along with the lyrics, which he remembers by heart. Seeing the power of these musical memories, Gabe seeks help from a music therapist, Dianne Daley (Julia Ormond), hoping to use music to connect with his son and bridge the gap that strained their relationship.

As Dianne tries to reach Henry through classic rock, she begins to realize that music had become an essential part of his life. With Dianne's guidance, Gabe and his wife, Helen (Cara Seymour), and Henry go on a journey to rediscover how music can be healing and perhaps, can restore the father-son relationship.

The movie also features additional characters, such as Tamara (Mia Maestro), a violinist who plays beautiful music pieces, and Jerry Garcia, the frontman of the iconic band, Grateful Dead.

The Music Never Stopped is a warm and uplifting movie that shows how music can be a powerful tool to bridge generations, memories, and cultures. As the story progresses, the audience comes to understand the importance of memories in everyone's life - how they can shape, erode, and define who we are. The movie also highlights the perseverance of parents, the value of real human connection, and the power of music as medicine.

The acting performances in the film are outstanding, particularly Lou Taylor Pucci's portrayal of Henry Sawyer. He manages to capture the essence of a man who's trapped between two time zones; a young man with memories and a new one without. J.K. Simmons, who plays Gabe Sawyer, also shines, offering a convincing depiction of a father who, despite his flaws, is trying to reconnect with his son.

The film's musical score plays an integral part in the narrative, as songs from the '60s and '70s evoke specific memories for Henry and trigger a range of emotions in both Henry and Gabe. The filmmakers pay particular attention to detail, using music and sound to transport the viewer back to another era.

In summary, The Music Never Stopped is an evocative and heartfelt movie that explores the relationship between father and son through the power of music. It's a gentle reminder of the importance of our memories and the enduring bonds that connect us to those we love. If you're looking for a feel-good movie with an excellent soundtrack, then this is one film that should not be missed.

The Music Never Stopped is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 60.