Remembering Maury Chaykin on his 10th death anniversary today which also happens to be his birthday. There are many roles he did along with great actors Owning Mahowny (2003) with late Philip Seymour Hoffman, A Life Less Ordinary (1997) with Ewan McGregor. He brought life to atypical characters in his films and His best roles was as Desmond Howl who suffers from a mental relapse from the death of his brother, a faded rock star who bathes in a rotten pool, dances naked around the house to music, wearing nothing but a bathrobe at all times, he is quite content to be alone with his music. That is until one day when a young woman, with a troubled past as well, comes into his life in Richard J. Lewis's Whale Music (1994). Desmond's peace is disturbed by the arrival of Claire, a young criminal on the run who breaks into his decrepit mansion to evade the law. As a cinephile, finding a movie this original is something to sing about. It's weird movie, true; but this film has created a world that is wonderful and bleak. The direction is beautifully good, the cinematography is perfection, the screenplay is professionally written, and the connection between all of the characters are just so enduring. It is a film that you will not regret giving a shot. The music in this alone is worth seeking this picture out for. The soundtrack of Rheostatics is brilliant, the moments that make this film a musical are the ones that keep the story alive with moments of joviality and enthusiasm. But there is also a disenchanted vision about the idea of love. The love of music, this motif runs through the entire film. Richard J. Lewis's not only addresses the magical effect of music, he is also particularly interested in the process of music production. An infectiously feel good flick to be viewed in its' entirety...not in bits and pieces..
Review of Whale Music
