Reviews

This film was not supposed to be as good as it was. I expected to be disappointed, but I can say I was impressed and moved deeply. So what if her face (Moretz) was digitally imposed on a real cellist. Moretz did take lessons, but was not screen ready. I respect that sort of commitment to a part. I've played for 30 years, so I know the time needed exhibit such bow control. (We did see the orignal baroque bowing of the Prelude)

A teenage romance that ends too soon for their teenage hearts. The boy is destructive and the girl is a loner, but music brings them together. Reminded me of August Rush, just with teens. We can experience the awkwardness of teen romance that appears to be true love. Regardless, this is more than a film about teens in love, far more. We learn of the sacrifice a family makes for their children, for music.

The film is emotional, yes, verily, with a simple storyline, so be ready to enjoy this film once, and leave it there. It is simply too dramatic, too close to the heart, to heavy to watch on repeat. With that said, it is a beautiful film, perfectly packaged for an "Insta-gratification Generation" while appealing to Xennials and Milenials alike.

And it is all tied together with good music: Saint-Saëns Concerto N°1, Beethoven Cello Sonata N°3 in A Major, and the Kodály Solo Sonata. We enjoy the Kodály twice and quite prominently actually. We witness the only ever cello audition, ever in a film. We are with Mia and her family as they record her audition, and we witness the importance of a little brother's encouragement.

I know what that is like because I lived Mia's life, sans the romance. My family believed in me, encouraged me, stood backstage and gave in-car pep talks. They let me wander off and listen to the 3rd Beethoven, for months as I dreamed of a music school in California. I experienced that same "out-of-body" feeling Mia felt during her in-person audition. I know what it is like to play your guts out and leave it all on the stage. And I know the joy of winning that audition too. :-)

I am a cellist, who song writes on guitar, who lost a father to brain cancer, who auditioned for uni and WON with the same Beethoven A Major Sonata Mia loves so much. Music has brought me back to so many times, and cello is always bring me closer to my late father.

Plus, my family owned a green Ford Taurus wagon, and I love the Smashing Pumpkins.

6 Movies, each based on a separate unaccompanied cello suite by JS Bach and played by Yo Yo Ma himself.

Cellists will learn and hear about each suite, what these mean to Ma, and how these songs inspire a garden designer, virtual engineer, choreographer, Kabuki actor, and two ice dancers.

The 5th suite is fictional thought still entertaining.

Music teachers, Bach aficionados, classical music lovers, ice dancers, Kabuki theatre lovers, 3D engineers, and modern dancers will all enjoy at least one of these films.

Cellists will surely enjoy every single one, for you will learn about how Ma approaches the suites, how they make him feel, and what they can possibly mean for you.

I use these films in my studio and classes, to bring to life the suites.

Since every proper cellist on Earth learns at least one suite during their lifetime, it would be sound to view these short 1 hr long films to help you dig a little deeper into your own personal journey through the Suites for Unaccompanied Cello.

Basil Poledouris conceived a masterpiece for this film's score.

The dialog seems to only add more to an already developed story you can hear from the music. All you need to do is buy the soundtrack and listen to it in order to enjoy the movie. Basil worked on producing music that would have sounded like the time, hence you hear more pentatonic scales and less diatonic ones. As a classical cellist, the score really hits home.

Arnold is not an amazing actor, but no one is save for Earl Jones. Yet this is not a matter of consequence, for again, all you need to do is listen to the score to enjoy the film. This film is more opera and less action, since the melodies tell most of the story. Know this and you will thoroughly enjoy it!