Close Harmony

Close Harmony is a heartwarming and thought-provoking American documentary film directed by Nigel Noble. This uplifting movie was released in 1981 and went on to win an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject in 1982. Weaving a beautiful narrative, the documentary brilliantly showcases the binding power of music, presenting it as a universal language capable of bridging all divides – those of age, race, culture, and personal backgrounds.

The movie is set in Brooklyn, New York, and revolves around an intergenerational choir made up of two very distinct and different groups - the fifth-grade chorus of P.S. 98 and the elderly members from the Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged. The buoyant considerateness and lively curiosity that these two groups bring to each other's lives form the crux of this scintillating documentary.

Close Harmony amalgamates the candid innocence of the children with the wisdom and lived experience of the seniors, sewing together the tumult of emotions that this unique combination elicits. The viewer can see the transformation of the young minds as they gradually learn to appreciate the wisdom their elders bring to the table. The elderly, on the other hand, experience a rejuvenation of spirits, enveloped by the bubbling energy and musical talent of the kids.

Nigel Noble cleverly explores the deep and subtle bonding which gradually develops between the kids and the seniors. The bond is fortified through their shared love for music, as they come together through series of choir rehearsals to a final jubilant concert. Both groups get an opportunity to learn about life from two extremely different vantage points. The resulting intergenerational harmony, both literally and metaphorically, is an endearing sight, showcasing beautifully how every age group has something significant to contribute to society and how those contributions can be valued and respected by others.

Close Harmony stands as an evocative testament to the power of music as a melodic conduit through which two enormously different generations learn, grow, and form a deep bond despite their differences. Complementing this is the transformation they experience - as strangers turn into friends, understanding and compassion for each other grows, and they begin to enjoy a richer, fuller life enriched by this unexpected companionship.

The documentary is commendably shot and edited, with deft cinematographic techniques effectively capturing the emotions, interactions, and performances of the different age groups. The prowess of the director shines through the beautiful progression of the narrative leading up to the final concert, reflecting the deep and heartening transformation the unlikely companions have undergone.

The moments of sheer joy, love, and vitality that are captured throughout the film invite the audience to reassess their own perceptions of age and the limitations often associated with it. While it's a heartwarming tale of friendship found in unexpected places, at a deeper level, Close Harmony brings to light the valuable lessons younger generations can learn from their elders, and how the exchange can uplift and rejuvenate the spirits of the older generations.

In a subtle undertone, the film also resonates with the issues pertinent to senior citizens, like loneliness, isolation, and the yearning for companionship. The brilliance of Close Harmony is its ability to shine a light on these deep, heartrending aspects without making the documentary somber or heavy. Instead, it offers a hopeful perspective through the lens of music and companionship.

Each scene and every interaction in Close Harmony is a potential tear-jerker, a slice of life profound, heartfelt, and moving. But far from being maudlin or sentimental, the documentary delivers its emotional punches with grace and subtlety. It efficiently thrums into the viewers' hearts, creating a soulful symphony that reverberates long after the film ends.

In conclusion, Close Harmony offers a delightful, thought-provoking, and heartwarming journey that presents a lovely cross-generational perspective on the bond of friendship, the power of music, and the value of kindness and understanding. With its touching portrayal of the choir's endeavours, it leaves the audience inspired, more mindful, and undoubtedly richer in spirit.