The Jazzman

Watch The Jazzman

"Music. Hardship. Love."
  • NR
  • 2009
  • 6.1  (73)

The Jazzman is a 2009 drama movie directed by Josh Koffman and starring Michael Ironside, Victoria Snow, and Max Dreesen. The story takes place in a small town in the 1960s and follows the life of Ben Weaver (Dreesen), a young jazz musician who aspires to become a successful jazzman. Ben is a talented pianist and singer who spends most of his time playing music in local bars and cafes. Despite his skills, he struggles to make a living and is forced to live with his mother (Snow) in a small and rundown apartment. Ben's biggest dream is to record an album and become famous, but he lacks the resources to make it happen.

After a chance encounter with a wealthy businessman named Dave (Ironside), Ben's life takes a new turn. Dave is impressed by Ben's talent and offers him a chance to record an album in his private recording studio. Ben jumps at the opportunity and begins recording his songs with a group of professional musicians.

As the recording sessions progress, Ben becomes more and more confident about his future. He starts developing feelings for Dave's assistant, Lily (played by Canadian singer-songwriter Lindi Ortega), and even envisions a future where they might get married and start a family.

However, as Ben's album nears completion, Dave's behavior becomes increasingly erratic. He starts making unreasonable demands and pressuring Ben to make changes to his music. Meanwhile, Lily reveals that Dave is not what he seems, and that he has a dark secret that could destroy everything Ben has worked for.

The Jazzman is a powerful tale of ambition, temptation, and betrayal. It explores the sacrifices that artists must make to achieve success, as well as the moral dilemmas they face when confronted with the prospect of compromising their art for commercial gain. The movie is beautifully shot and features a fantastic soundtrack of jazz standards, performed by Dreesen and a talented ensemble of musicians.

Michael Ironside delivers a captivating performance as the enigmatic and unpredictable Dave, while Victoria Snow provides a touching portrayal of a mother struggling to support her son's dreams in the face of poverty and hardship. Max Dreesen shines as Ben, imbuing his character with a deep sense of passion and determination that makes the audience root for him throughout the movie.

Overall, The Jazzman is a deeply moving and thought-provoking movie that is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever pursued their dreams against all odds. Whether you are a fan of jazz or not, this film is sure to leave you with a lasting impression and a newfound appreciation for the power of music to transform lives.

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Description
  • Release Date
    2009
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.1  (73)