This movie is a very touching and human account of the great jazz pianist. Those who know much about Thelonious Monk will no that he had some mental problems that affected his life greatly. This is always a touchy subject for movies (documentaries included) because they have a tendency to let the disabilities become the person. This film does an incredible job about talking rather in depth about his disabilities while still showing that while they affected him they did not define him. Much of the heart of this film comes from interviews with the musician's friends and family. They speak about him with so much love that it is hard for us not to love him as well. Fellow musicians who spoke in this movie were so in awe of the man's musical talent that this film can give even jazz fans a new perspective on this great artist.
This film is also a sheer joy for jazz fans with so many rare clips of the great artist both on and off stage. These clips are an important part of jazz history that might have been lost to time if it wasn't for this movie. We also get to hear a lot of his music and all of it is excellent. This will make fans of newcomers and will delight long time fans.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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