subtitles for a wordless scene #acnotes

As a kid, growing up with this newly introduced device in India, in the early 80s, TV was quite fascinating. Especially, watching Charlie Chaplin on Sunday mornings or Tom & Jerry where there were no dialogues -- for someone who was learning to read at that age, the title cards and the captions in between was a bit overwhelming. That said, what elevated the whole experience is the music. Indeed, most of them were repurposed western classical compositions from the greats, but they kept me hooked to see what happened next. Well, you could try watching these silent movies without the music, but it may not have the same impact.

Cut to, the present, we have crossed the language barriers with so many movies from across borders we get to watch at our palm tops. Thanks to those lines right at the bottom of the screens, which opens up worlds unfathomable. Imagine lines in a known dialect blurring the lines that divide us geographically or demographically. My respect for those who subtitle these movies is immense. And it doubles when you see the subtitles aren't mere translations but they do complement the narrative. Perhaps, I'll talk about them in another essay.

At this moment, I wish to bring to your kind attention the movie that we might have never gotten a chance to watch on the big screens due to the pandemic. In fact, owing to the situation, Disney released this directly on streaming for 2020 Christmas. However, the movie is still relevant and could leave the same effect on a smaller screen at home. Yet, if given a chance, I would definitely want to watch it on the big screen some day. The winner of 3 Oscars -2021 (for Best Animated Feature, Original Score and Sound), Soul is a Jazz musician's (Joe Gardener) quest to unite his soul with his departed body to fulfill a long cherished dream, while convincing another soul (22 - an apt name that cues the phrase Catch 22?) to begin its mission on earth. It's easier if you watch it, than me trying to explain it. Pete Docter (UP & INSIDE OUT) has done an impeccable job. Trent Reznor and Atticus Roz compose the score, while Jon Batiste takes care of the Jazz arrangements. Without digressing any further, may I please escort you to any comfortable chair, nearby. Or, some secluded place to listen to this (no pun intended) soulful composition.

My legs quiver as I type this, in deafening silence, with the drone of the central ac and the whirling of a fan at a distance on a sunny February afternoon. I am moving back and forth in my head as I write this about this composition. I first watched this movie with my son. I was blown away by how this movie is for children of all ages. And to each age there is some takeaway. Now here's mine. This tune plays at the most crucial moment when Joe Gardener is wondering why life still feels the same after a life altering experience. He has died, gotten a second chance and lived his dream, but now he's back to normal and it feels all the same. Imagine that brief moment you're rushing down a rollercoaster at breckneck speed and then you halt. This, is one such moment. Visually, a montage follows with deep contemplation on his experience interspersed with shots of his acquaintance with 22. And all this contemplation happens with him seated before his piano. This is when you see the genius of Pete Docter. Instead of music sheets or staring into the void/eyes closed, he lines up the little souvenirs/trinkets, 22 has collected during its journey on earth, that remains with him. Pizza crust, piece of bagel, lollypop, a spool, and a metro ticket stub. He recalls seeing life through the innocent eyes of 22, first. Followed by the firsts from his lifetime. Moments that are still etched in his memory resurface. And that's when it hits him. It hits him as gently and as delicately as that first shower of sun's warmth on a winter morning. Then at 3:15 (approx) is when the moment arrives. All this while it's just the build up. The fingers glide past keys and reeds. 3:35 approximately you hear a brief trilling and the song fades. This is when I feel a realisation dawns. One could look for a purpose or spark to live for. Or, one could live every minute with a purpose or spot the spark in every moment of life. For the lack of finding the right phrase or sentence to frame this, I'm quoting Kurt Vonneggut - "And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.' "

Now to circle it back to where we began, music is the subtitle one needs to read this wordless scene. To read between the lines. To know what Joe Gardener is experiencing.

Need I still mention the song's title?

https://lynkify.in/song/epiphany/mgCKwTB0

#acnotes