AMERICAN SYMPHONY
Cert 12A
104 mins
BBFC advice: Contains discriminatory language, references to illness
When one's spouse is going through cancer treatment, it feels as if they are the only person in the world facing this version of hell.
And then come the stories - accounts of diagnosis, chemo, surgery, radiotherapy, survival, death and anything in between become far too commonplace.
Lately, it seems as if I cannot escape from films - either factual or fiction - about cancer.
Perhaps they were always there but didn't resonate before Mrs W's fight against the Big C. They certainly do now.
Initially, Jon Batiste's creation of an American Symphony was the subject of Matthew Heineman's documentary.
But then he learns of his nomination for 11 Grammys - and the return of his partner's leukaemia.
So, the film becomes a diary of the lead-up to Suleika Jaouad's second bone marrow transplant alongside Batiste juggling care for her and the demands of his career.
Batiste was probably best known as the band leader for chat show host Stephen Colbert but is also a great musician and singer.
The documentary outlines his progress to stardom before it delves deep into his current life.
Heineman's film pulls no punches - there are upsetting scenes surrounding Jaouad's very intensive treatment.
But there are many uplifting counterbalances, and there is no doubt that it helps that both she and Batiste come across as devoted, decent people.
I thought this might be a gooey tribute, but it is much more affecting than that.
Indeed, it deserves its place among award contenders.
Reasons to watch: Poignant and memorable
Reasons to avoid: Upsetting scenes
Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8.5/10
Did you know? Batiste had to learn how to drive before played a taxi driver in Spike Lee’s Red Hook Summer.
The final word. Jon Batiste: "It was always about a push and a pull dance with Matt in the improvised moments of life, where he would oftentimes be pushing for more. We were committed to giving an honest portrayal... but at the time, we didn’t know if the end of the film was gonna be positive or not." Paste
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