A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

The Evaluation System Reviews by Title Reviews by Date

Reviews from Video Reviews of the Classics Personal Background

Title: Songcatcher

Theatrical release: 2001

Details:

Janet McTeer

Aidan Quinn

Written and directed by: Maggie Greenwald

Score: +

The Review: McTeer plays a musicologist at a Northeastern college, who is refused a promotion and tenure in large measure because she is a woman. Retreating from those hallowed halls, she begins an extended visit with her sister, a teacher in backwoods Appalachia (the Asheville NC area). Since the film opens with McTeer teaching her class about the English ballad "Twas the Month of May", played on an upright piano and sung in a very slow cadence, the audience as well as McTeer are surprised when, relaxing after her journey into the backcountry, she is serenaded by one of the younger students in a rendition of the very same "Month of May" but with a different melodic line, a more authentic "feel" and (most importantly to an historian) extended lyrics. The movie follows McTeer as she explores this previously unknown cultural archive of 16th through 18th century Scots-Irish ballads -- starting as a professional musician who must wear down the reluctance and disinterest of the local inhabitants, and then evolving into a more complex and friendly relationship. Quinn plays her antagonist and love interest.

An unheralded film; quite good; recommended. Although mutated somewhat (as these things usually are), this is based on the actual accidental re-discovery (in the early 20th century) of the origin and richness of the Appalachian ballad, the concept of an entire subculture of lyric bards, and the genetic roots of many of our country's original settlers. The DVD has additional historical and musical background, and interesting commentary by the director.

(6-Jan-02)

Back to the chronological list of reviews