The Music Never Stopped (2011)

In the heart of 1986, the life of Henry Sawyer, a 65-year-old conservative mechanical engineer, and his wife Helen, a dutiful housewife, is turned upside down when they discover their long-estranged son, Gabriel, is stricken by a brain tumor that renders him unable to form new memories. A rift had formed between father and son years prior, born from a heated argument over Gabriel's decision to abandon college for a failed attempt to attend a Grateful Dead concert with his girlfriend Tamara and best friend Mark Ferris. This disagreement left Gabriel emotionally marooned, detached from the world and his family. When Henry is forced into an unwanted retirement, Helen steps up to work, providing for Gabriel's medical needs. Henry, desperate to bridge the chasm between him and his son, delves into research and stumbles upon the promising realm of music therapy. He enlists the help of Professor Dianne Daley, and together they unearth a profound connection between Gabriel and the music of the late 60s and 70s, with the Grateful Dead at its core. Despite his personal preference for music from an earlier era, a determined Henry immerses himself in the songs of his son's generation, hoping they'll serve as a lifeline to Gabriel's foggy existence. A beacon of hope shines when a radio contest offers a chance to win tickets to a sold-out Grateful Dead concert. Henry relentlessly dials in, believing this could be the key to crafting a shared memory, a new bond forged in their mutual love for music. After numerous attempts, he finally wins the coveted tickets. Father and son attend the concert, experiencing profound connection and deep understanding. The narrative unfolds poignantly when, at Henry's funeral, the strains of a Grateful Dead song fill the air, a song that Gabriel recollects and moves to, demonstrating the power of music and memory. "The Music Never Stopped" is a heartfelt tale that explores a father's unwavering efforts to reconnect with his son, using the power of music to bridge the gaps caused by time, distance, and memory loss.

The Music Never Stopped is a drama movie featuring J.K. Simmons and directed by Jim Kohlberg.

The Music Never Stopped is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy and it's also available on Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy The Music Never Stopped on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.