Parallel Chords (2018) User Reviews (27)

Familial Dissonant and Resonant Frequencies Occasionally Synchronizing

[acsummerfield · 6/10 · 12 September 2020]

A touching story about the relationship between a young woman and her father, her relationship with herself, and her relationship with the world around her, as she decides to buck patriarchal expectation and chart her own path.

The acting and cinematography were great. But, I felt some of the performances were hindered in parts by some of the writing, which left some of the dialogue feeling a bit at odds with the emotion of what was happening. However, the facial and physical blocking, reactions, and presence all felt right.

Without giving much away, there were glimpses of the protagonist's internality in key moments of the film, and I was left a little dissatisfied with how these flashes were never more capitalized on or given too much of a focus. The father is clearly struggling with mental health issues throughout the film, so I wasn't sure if we were going to see the residual ripples of that manifest in our lead. If the intention was to leave this aspect more obscure and up to the viewer, it still felt like there was room to push this further.

Overall, a good film with a positive message, good score, and some solid performances. Give it a watch sometime on Amazon Prime or Tubi, if this is the sort of story you're hungry for.

Pressure from the father

[thejhorton · 7 May 2020]

The push to succeed from family will be a familiar theme to many. The fratured timelines come together wonderfully to tell this to tell this story of a woman being led into a career she's not entirely sure she wants. The family dynamic is authentic and at times very touching. The performances are understated and nuanced. The look of the film is striking and music is lovely.

If you find this review helpful let me know.

How the hell did I end up watching this movie?

[abraham-rothstein · 1/10 · 20 December 2019]

I found the acting lame. Musically completely inaccurate. The storyline often doesn't make sense. The characters are dull. Some parts are total cringe. It's shallow, doesn't represent any artistic value, yet the movie is about arts, therefore it has a pretentious aftertaste. Is it someone's college degree movie?

Family dynamics woven in a struggling artist theme

[lbruhnca · 9/10 · 15 February 2020]

I love watching drama films that dive deep into family dynamics in a real and relatable way. All things together in this film drew me in, which is a big accomplishment for an indie film - the cinematography, directing, writing, acting, and story. Most of us can relate to the themes in this film - coming of age artist trying to find her own voice & place in the world, and parents who think they know best for their kids, giving guidance that comes from their own experiences in life. Hats off to Catherine Dudley-Rose and her team for creating an engaging drama film.

Emotional symphony

[directortim2012 · 9/10 · 9 December 2019]

I was truly affected by this film. Both musicians, the daughter and the father, were so believable. It's the kind of story that feels lived in, very real. It's a complex and artful film, but quite accessible. Anyone who has ever felt the pressure of a parent or their own ambitions can relate. It's an intelligent, well crafted and beautifully acted film. Musical, both in that it's set in the world of music and also has musical rhythm's in it's structure. I found the movie involving and an emotional tour de force. Bravo!

Family dynamics, dynamically explored

[beelovelee · 10/10 · 19 December 2021]

Riveting depiction of the dichotomy of staying true to one's calling and passion, while grappling with the pressure of familial expectations. A daughter eager to find her own way and creative expression in the world, and a father fearful of losing her both her,and his own relevance as a result. Truly original coming of age story that is beautiful,jarring, touching,and redeeming, paired with a captivating score.

Beautiful Story

[emmabright-74214 · 10/10 · 6 January 2022]

Congratulations to director-screenwriter, Catherine Dudley-Rose, for creating such a beautiful and touching story!

"Parallel Chords" follows the struggle between a father and daughter. Dad wants to direct his daughter's future into becoming a famous violinist but she struggles to feel passionate about that path. The acting was incredible. I was very impressed with the lead actress Rachel Ann.

I'm not much of a music junkie personally but this story drew me in very fast and encouraged me to reflect on my own relationship with my parents. I did try to play violin when I was younger but I couldn't stand practicing. My dad would always tell me I had to practice because he was paying for it- that really discouraged me. So, eventually I quit.

Thank you Catherine for creating such a terrific film! I can't wait to see what comes next!

Quality Performances

[JGReviews · 9/10 · 23 May 2020]

Parallel Chords drew me in when I saw a number of film festival laurels and that it won several awards as well. It always helps a bit to see that kind of recognition first when taking a chance on a new indie film. The film is definitely deserving of its honors as it presents an intriguing story of a violinist and her overbearing musician father. I'm a big fan of films like Whiplash, but Parallel Chords still manages to offer something new and fresh to the genre. The performances are quite good in the film and I've always been a fan of Bjorn Johnson (who I'm currently watching in Counterpart). Parallel Chords is definitely worth a watch.

The Power Of She

[ambuehl2000 · 8/10 · 4 February 2019]

This beautifully shot film entices the audience with a father-daughter relationship that wrestles with the balance of one's dreams. The story written and directed by the talented Catherine Dudley-Rose brings elements of parenthood and humanity to light by exploring the strengths and weakness of each character . . . and providing pieces of reality connecting us to the film. I especially loved watching and supporting a film with so many women in leadership crew roles as well as a young woman using her gifts and talents on screen.

Terrific Story Crafting

[TheAll-SeeingI · 10/10 · 10 September 2019]

"Parallel Chords" is an elite manifestation of a time-honored tale, and kudos to director-screenwriter Catherine Dudley-Rose for demonstrating the ambition needed to tell it with the texture and nuance it always deserved.

Actor Rachel Ann brings us Jacqueline Archer, a protégé violinist struggling with her desire to please her virtuoso father while also yearning to carve out her own life on her own terms. Jacqueline knows her dad to be esteemed within his niche musical community, yet has witnessed his hard behind-the-scenes life endured in achieving world-class excellence. As his gift fully manifests in his daughter, he knows no alternative way with which to drive results.

When this story is told by a major studio, its corporate tastemakers famously tend to demand of their filmmaker that the film's protégé must either capitulate at a great cost, or rebel at a great cost. Refusing to be forced to that crossroads, Dudley-Rose instead has her main character exhibit a more multi-faceted, holistic response, and one much closer to the truth we know from our own experiences. In demonstrating this knowing balance, "Parallel Chords" takes on the considerable task of evoking a very accomplished storytelling vehicle, and succeeds to terrific effect by breathing its own unique life into it.

Skillfully textured meditation...

[omnisteve · 10/10 · 27 April 2019]

... on finding your way past the obstacles of others into a life of your own. A great example of why indie films are such a rich mine of ideas.

Intense family drama.

[harriscalvin-1 · 9/10 · 3 March 2020]

Parrallel Chords was an intense family drama. Director Catherine Dudley-Rose did a fantastic job directing this complex family drama with various issues especially between the father (Bjorn Johnson) & daughter (Laura Kirk). The music was a great back drop to help the audience navigate through this film. The other actors did really well and the camera work & editing were on point.

Beautiful, Visceral and Freeing

[sharee-63927 · 9/10 · 23 September 2020]

Writer-Director Catherine Dudley-Rose did an outstanding job capturing the raw, delicate and painful journey to choose one's life path in light of tremendous parental pressure. The film touched me to my core, from the cinematography to the acting and nuance of each scene. Through it, I am taken back to my own childhood and preteen/teen memories of wanting to follow my dreams, yet feeling trapped by others' expectations; needing to break free from others who wanted to live through me or control my life; going along with certain things hoping to receive love, affection and unconditional acceptance; being traumatized by my experiences while no one noticed, and feeling so alone and misunderstood. I wiped my tears away throughout the film, and realized so much about how I came to be who I am, who I want to become and that California is my New York. It's definitely worth watching!

A Story of discipline vs. Passion!

[mrdigital13 · 9/10 · 30 March 2020]

Parallel Chords is a gripping tale of a prodigy who comes to terms with her father's over disciplined rehearsals that eventually gets the best of both of them. Told through a broken narrative traveling from the past to the present and back again, we get a glimpse into the life of a musician who only want's his child to become what he wants her to be, not what she aspires to be. Gorgeous cinematography, beautiful music, a solid script and decent acting add to this well done coming of age drama.

Beautiful and Inspired

[bohemianpirate-871-383487 · 9/10 · 20 May 2020]

Wow, I had no idea this film would move me the way it did. I found myself really reflecting on my own relationship with my dad since that is the emotional touchstone of the story for me. Parallel Chords is so incredibly well done and impactful, it deserves the praise it's getting. I was so taken with the lead actress' performance as well. The dynamic between her and her father is riveting. Well directed, written and produced, I highly recommend this touching film. Excellent work, all around.

Great movie about the pressures of success

[williamgway · 8/10 · 29 April 2020]

Wow. I am a music junkie from a musical household. Many of the themes of family pressures to succeed in musical performance were familiar to me. So I loved it. But my wife, with no musical background, also loved it. We can all relate to the pressures to succeed and what types of sacrifices it can take. Catherine Dudley-Rose does a very nice job bringing this story to life. Worth a watch.

Real, Raw and Poetic

[kristinwalton · 10/10 · 27 December 2020]

Beautifully written film about a very challenging family dynamic. Love the depth of the characters, and the story is a beautiful cross between heartache and hope. Talent abounds in the cast!! Highly recommend this drama.

Struggling Artist's Journey

[beemtoaustin · 8/10 · 20 October 2020]

At the core of this gut-wrenching drama is a father-daughter relationship desperately in need of repair, if not an actual intervention. But here it addresses a world that is often misunderstood and seldom revealed - that of classical music training and the uniquely skilled sensitivity required in the instruction of children, some beginning their instruments as young as five years old. In this case a violinist and her famous pianist father. But make no mistake, this could just as easily have been about a young gymnast and her trainer or a young dancer and her back stage mother. Beneath all the great music and the tumultuous emotion it's important to remember that the music being interpreted by children in training was in most cases composed by mature artists from another age and often times old enough to be the young instrumentalist's grandfather. I like here that the young violinist, played wonderfully by Rachel Ann in her feature film debut, kept her love of music alive by experimenting with other forms of music, seen here as an act of sympathetic rebellion to her father's overly disciplined concert world. Give this indie film a watch. All the festival awards well-deserved.

A Delicate Balance

[artnsmt · 10/10 · 16 December 2020]

I found the performances to be real and sincere allowing for the audience to see the delicate relationship between father and daughter. I especially appreciate their bond and love of music as what keeps them together also is what seems to create dissonance. A beautiful and classic film to be enjoyed thanks to the talent of the cast, director, and screen writer.

A moving artistic, family struggle

[Todd-Schowalter-Prod · 10/10 · 19 March 2020]

Great film. Compellingly captures the struggle between a daughter and her overbearing Father, who's expectations are impossible to please, in the world of music.

An emotional family drama

[mahayanafilms · 8/10 · 29 May 2020]

I am not normally a drama watcher.....But being an indie film I gave it a chance. An inspiring look at the struggles that talented and creative people go through. Both father and daughter were amazing. It was relatable and well done team. Definitely a watch

I loved the theme of this film and how it was executed.

[evelyne-8 · 8/10 · 7 May 2020]

I am an avid watcher of indie films, I love the spirit and direction that can be taken when a large studio is not overseeing production. That said, I loved this film. All the actors brought so much to the screen and took the story beyond it's limits. It was deep and successful at driving home the point. Having adult friends who are music savants, I can see the obsession being all too real. A must see. So happy Amazon chose to pick this one up and support the industry.

The Pressures of Family & The Struggle for Independence

[powerfit111 · 9/10 · 5 April 2024]

This film touched my soul in so many ways. The complicated relationship between family members, the pressure to live up to parental expectations, and the trauma it can cause were highlighted in this beautiful film. It was beautifully shot, delivered strong fulfilling performances, and showcased beautiful music. I throughly enjoyed Rachel Ann in the lead role of Jacqueline. She delivered a multi-layered, fascinating and at time, heartbreaking performance. Veteran performer Bjorn Johnson was magnificent as Jacqueline's overbearing pianist father Lawerence. His acting chops were evident as he fully embodied this very complicated character. Finally, kudos to Catherine Dudley-Rose who wrote and masterfully directed this piece. She is a truly talented filmmaker.

Independent Filmmaking at its Best

[thymiane-57518 · 8/10 · 11 April 2020]

Parallel Chords is a visually stunning, imaginative story about creativity and finding freedom seen through the eyes of a young woman. I really appreciated the creative path and struggle of Jacqueline as she tries to the fulfill the impossible task of pleasing a narcissistic parent while also finding her own way in the world. The writing and construction of the story reveals the complexity of the story and the relationships, and the end of the film is a perfect bittersweet grace note. We need more films like this.

Visually interesting, character-driven film

[zottachelsea-55130 · 10/10 · 20 March 2019]

"Parallel Chords" is visually and stylistically stunning. The scenes at Fox Theater pop with color, excitement and even tension for Jacqueline and her father.

This film navigates through three different timelines very smoothly, with each scene building upon the last. Pulling off a non-linear storyline is tough, but this film excels with the execution of it.

"Parallel Chords" is very personal, not afraid to show human weakness and vulnerability. The character's family dynamic is sweet at times and oppressive at other times.

A must-see!!