Seymour: An Introduction (2015)

Hmmmm... Inhaling before to write my first word, suspended in the air... because I want that word to be beautiful.One of my talents is in writing. I have no financial success. Although I have been published - for free.I do not have an awesome screenplay or a breathtaking novel to give. I write poetry and I write notes, texts, messages. Every time I write I pour love into it. I love typing words and, funnily for the first time, by watching this sensitive beautiful documentary have I seen myself as a pianist.I feel very grateful to Bernstein for honoring artistry. And very grandly grateful to Ethan for sharing this gift with us all. I want to tell Ethan although you may never read these lines: I consider you to be one true deep and intense artist and you could be honored by not having received any academy award. That may truly show how intimate and pure your art is many times.I have seen an actor who has been trying to receive an award for years receiving it for a work that was created around this purpose and in which that actor did a compilation of some of the most intense scenes he did in his career. He got it but what did it really mean? I have written elsewhere - and I maintain it - that if awards were truly rewarding pure genuine performances, they would have been rewarding you for Training Day. At least. My favorite performance of you, in all I saw of you, was in Before Sunset. I watched this movie an alarming number of times. I still can see you on the Bateau-Mouche talking true feelings to the 'love of your life'. It wasn't simply the obvious romantic aspect of your performance that appealed to me, no, no, it was this fully alive, vibrant, almost tangible expression of your face when you expressed your certainty that you could have lived with the love of your life. Hmmmmmmmm....I, too, have been bullied into this world of achievements that we all know, that we all grew up in, we who use IMDb casually. I have gotten depressed by the upside-down nature of this world where the worst performances gather the biggest fortunes, where the sincere lone artists get mocked for being unknown. Therefore, I bow to both of you, for having rewarded me with these true reminders of what art is, poured into me via this film, and comforting me in the need I have to honor my true essence instead of following the pressure of a world which always wants more tinsel and glitter.

This is an exceptional documentary centering on Seymour Bernstein, the classical pianist, composer, and teacher. Now 88-years-old, he retired from concert appearances at age 50 to devote more time to teaching and mentoring others. Bernstein had me rather mesmerized with his distinctive tones, as he spins fascinating stories and anecdotes from his life, adding some quite profound words of wisdom that he's gathered over his lifetime.The superb actor Ethan Hawke directs the documentary, and I read that he regards Bernstein as a mentor of his. Both men during the interviews, reveal some very personal aspects of their life, including stage fright and how to get fulfillment for the remainder of their time on this earth.Overall, I was totally engaged, from start to finish, in this remarkable movie, and there's some wonderful classical music to enjoy as well.

Seymour: an Introduction is one of the most touching films I've watched. The title character, Seymour, is charming beyond words. He is beautifully portrayed by Ethan Hawke. The film provides candid interviews with former students and notables of the world of classical music. Each glimpse of this master teacher brings the audience closer to seeing a natural-born teacher in his element. Seymour has mastered the art of inspiring his students to reach the beyond their limits to create the best music they can. Seymour himself seems to magically sprinkle fairy dust on every piano he touches! He is an inspiration to both pianists and non-pianists everywhere. This film will, hopefully, in time, become a classic.

Some very thoughtful and well-written reviews have been posted about this film. Justifiably so!For me the beauty of it is in it's pure portrayal of a regular guy who understood early what captivated him.....and his joy for it and exploration of it has never wavered. He remained a performing musician for as long as it made sense to him and then transitioned to being a valued teacher of other musicians.Seymour is also a thinker and has come to some meaningful and wonderful conclusions about life and purpose. He articulates those in his ever gentle manner. I very much identified with the part where he speaks of looking within for answers and meaning more than looking to external entities or individuals to provide you with those. So, so true.I was quite choked up towards the end but not from sadness; no, quite the opposite. From bearing witness to a life that has been, all of, fulfilling, purposeful, simple, deep, accomplished, stressful, pained from difficult relationships, enlightened and content.Ethan Hawke, who has never really resonated with me (sorry, bro), as writer and director, has produced a fantastic film. I would say this is his calling and I walked out of the movie thinking, 'oh my gosh, I hope he does more films like this.' Go see it.