Film Review: All The Way Through Evening

When I went to bed last night, I was still on a high from watching the new Bond movie (Skyfall, for anyone who's been living in a cave lately)......but now I'm in a whole new place.

Just returned from a screening of the absorbing musical documentary "All The Way Through Evening", an independent film directed by Rohan Spong.  Still love James Bond, but this movie.............this movie........  The bare bones: it tells the story of Mimi Stern-Wolfe who has produced 20 annual concerts in New York, in celebration of the lives of men.............enormously talented musicians, poets, singers who died because they contracted HIV.  Their stories are told with honesty and compassion by people who were so close to them - partners, friends, family.  Through their stories comes something of Mimi's life as she relentlessly rehearses to ensure the most perfect performance of their works to honor their memory.

I loved the way the film is shot - the focus on Mimi's hands as she gestures to accompany her conversation, the graceful movement of her hands as she draws the music from her piano.  Images of the East Village are cut between stories of the musicians, Mimi walking in the street, stopping to acknowledge a place where someone once lived, her salutation to its windows before she moves on.  Her apartment is overflowing with books, papers, folders, videos; the couch is covered in cushions and rugs, the top of the piano is covered in music scores.......

The film is personal, its made with love and palpable warmth and consideration.  And the music is powerful and amazing.  I want it.