Songcatcher (2000)

What an unexpected treasure "Songcatcher" is. This is not a film nor the type of film that I might normally see but afforded the opportunity, I'm glad I did. The vague notion I had about the film's subject matter was only partially born out. I had understood that this was a film about a woman who travels to a location to capture the native songs of that area. But I did not realize that the film was a "period piece," nor that the music being explored was what some might call "folk," "bluegrass" or "mountain music."

Janet McTeer ("Tumbleweeds") plays the titular "Songcatcher." A refined "musicologist," at the dawn of the twentieth century, she sets out to visit her sister who has a small school in a remote mountain village. Becoming enamoured with the bucolic existence, McTeer's character soon discovers the area's cultural motherlode, a history of music, ballads, passed down from generation to generation that originated in Europe centuries before. McTeer's Lily sets out to catalogue these songs, generate the sheet music and record some on Edison cylinders.

The film gets to this point in the story pretty quickly with some exposition seeming to become far from coincidental and appearing instead contrived, but once writer/director Maggie Greenwald establishes her story, it takes off on a flight of fancy that is just delightful to experience. Yes, there are some secondary storylines that only vaguely fit into the issue at hand, many of them quite lovely, but overall the film explores the love of music with a passionate eye and ear that is never forced, even in it's most obviously contrived moments.

The cast of this film, supporting McTeer, is nothing short of extraordinary. A particular standout is Pat Carroll, an ageing actress not seen by this writer in a many a year. The rotund and vibrant thespian delivers a wonderful musical matriarch here, guaranteed to enthrall even the most jaded viewer. Likewise, Aidan Quinn, Jane Adams ("Happiness"), and the lesser known names in the cast supply secondary characters that never fail to deliver. This is an ensemble designed to win us over and they do so with ease.

"Songcatcher" can feel a bit like "The Waltons" and sometimes seems to be peopled with a cast of what must be the mature stars of old time bluegrass music, but it's gentle country charms holds great depth for modern audiences. All that's required is a love of music, all music, and an open mind. "Songcatcher" is an exploration of American music all too often ignored by the intelligentsia. Here is a film that will open doors for them, if they simply relax, enjoy and listen.

Notes:

With a small cameo by Taj Mahal.

Filmed in North Carolina.

Report Card

Script: A-

Acting: A+

Cinematography\Lighting: A-

Special Effects\Make Up: A+

Music: A+

Final Grade: A

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