Six Must-See Films for Music Lovers and Musicians

August Rush

August Rush is a drama film released in the year 2007. The main character is a boy named Evan Taylor, a musically gifted orphan who believes that all music he hears around him is his parent’s way of communicating with him. He refused to be adopted because he felt that what he needed was to follow the music trail which will eventually lead him back to his parents. This film is about hope, love and inspiration. The movie soundtrack is awesome too.

Shine

Geoffrey Rush won the Academy Award for Best Actor for this 1996 Australian film. The story is based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, who suffered from mental and emotional problems, and spent many years in psychiatric institutions. Despite the challenges that befaced his tragic life, Helfgott was lucky enough to make a comeback and a brand new start as a piano performer. “There’s a light at the end of the tunnel”. This seems to be the main theme of the film.

Drumline

This film is a treat for all professional drummer and percussionists. Nick Cannon plays the role of Devon Miles, a young talented drummer. He was actually the best drummer in his university and would have led their band’s “drumline” if it wasn’t for some attitude, character and disciplinary problems. As the film progresses and reaches its climax, Devon eventually realizes that drumming and playing music is not just about skill and who’s the best out there. It’s about understanding the bigger picture and your role as part of a group and not just as an isolated individual.

8-Mile

Marshall Mathers, also known to the pop-rap world as “Eminem”, plays the lead role in this film. The film starts with a “freestlye rap battle”, an event where two rappers face off (on-the-spot rapping). The guy who has the best lyrics and crowd response wins the battle. Eminem, a white rapper and consequently does not have the support of the black community, was humiliated on stage when he froze and couldn’t get to say anything during his turn. 8 Mile is about his road to success, both in personal issues and in his musical career as well.

Mr. Holland’s Opus

Richard Drefuss plays the role of Glenn Holland, a musician and composer who decided to take a teaching job in order to pay his financial dues. At the same time, he was on a constant quest to compose that one music piece which will make him famous. Mr. Holland’s teaching career extended well over thirty years. He did not become wealthy nor extremely famous at that time, but he worked for the love and fulfillment of his art. He was later able to mentor highly gifted musicians who are deaf. The film is about inspiration, passion, determination and the beauty of music and life itself.

Moulin Rouge

Moulin Rouge is a 2001 musical film which featured Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman as main actor and actress. It is based on the opera entitled La Traviata. The setting was in the Montmartre quarter of 1900’s Paris, France. It is the story of a British writer, named Christian, who fell in love with Satine, a courtesan and cabaret singer of the Moulin Rouge. The film was nominated for 9 Oscars and won 2 major awards.