IN RESTLESS DREAMS: THE MUSIC OF PAUL SIMON
US, 2023, 209 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Alex Gibney.
With the title quote from Sounds of Silence, and Paul Simon immediately named, and with directors, Alex Gibney (more than two decades of outstanding documentaries), we know where we stand and what we want to see and hear. Actually, that may be true of older generations (this reviewer included and overhearing on entering the cinema someone noting that he was the only one under 50!). But, this is an opportunity for younger audiences to get to know and appreciate Paul Simon and his music.
And, we get our money’s worth, music, lyrics, career and life, and the film runs 3 ½ hours.
Alex Gibney opens his film in 2021, the year that Paul Simon turned 80, visiting him at his home and studio in Texas where he lives with his wife of over 30 years, Edie Brickel, support and collaborator. Simon explains that he had a dream in 2019 which had influenced him to work on a poetic ensemble of songs, Seven Psalms – the film returning throughout the history of Simon’s career to the studio, to the presence of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, friend and collaborator, the creation of the lyrics, the ways of creating the music, specific sounds, a choir, so that by the end of the film, this work is complete.
And, of course, throughout, we are returning to the chronological development of Paul Simon’s life and career, from Queens, New York, Jewish background (though, interestingly, no religious influence specifically on his lyrics all music), a friendship from school days, aged 10, with Art Garfunkel, the early singing together, his early songs, not entirely successful, his going to England and singing in clubs in London, and in his first failed album, Sounds of Silence.
In fact, the first half of the documentary covers the period from 1963 to 1970. And, one of the values of Paul Simon being in show business, there is an abundance of photos to draw on, an abundance of television appearances and interviews, interestingly incorporated throughout the film. And, those popular songs of the time, Feelin’ Groovy, I am a Rock, Scarborough Fair (and a glimpse of Simon accompanying a screeching Miss Piggy on the Muppet Show), and some detailed explanations and visuals of creating the score for Mike Nichols The Graduate, and some detail about Here’s to you, Mrs Robinson.
Then, the break with Art Garfunkel, Garfunkel not being interviewed for this film but the director able to use a great deal of radio and television footage. The reasons, personal, professional, the later reuniting, successful concerts in Central Park.
The film also explores Simon’s solo career, Bridge over Troubled Waters, El Condor Passa, as well as many appearances on television shows, especially Saturday Night Live (with George Harrison, with John Lennon…). And this into the 1980s, although the 1980s were difficult, the failure of his semi-autobiographical film with his son, One Trick Pony, a failed album, in the background to his marrying Carrie Fisher, the collapse of the marriage, Carrie Fisher’s explanations.
The second part of the 1980s was highly significant, a visit to Jamaica, discovering reggae, but also a visit to South Africa, working with black musicians, the creation of the Grammy-winning album, Graceland, and the subsequent criticism of his working with the Africans, arguing that he was not critical enough of the apartheid regime. However, his work was honoured, massive concert in Zimbabwe with prominent exiles, Lady and Hugh.
Listening to Paul Simon’s lyrics, watching them written on the screen, we realise how poetic he was, popular, existential, probing, deeply humane, the touch of the mystical, which is communicated very movingly in the creation of Seven Psalms.
Simon was greatly honoured throughout his career, music awards, humanitarian awards. He is considered one of the greatest of popular American songwriters. And the great value of this film is Simon’s own appearance throughout, vigorous in his 80s, an experience of deafness in one ear, seeing and listening to him in constant close-up, seeing him in action, relating to people, creating in 2021 and the following years. Not exactly warts-and-all, but some warts and limitations. But, seeing him creative, peaceful, agreeable, means a happy ending for him and for us.
