by Rosa Parra
The American Film Institute (AFI) Film Festival, a prestigious event in the heart of Hollywood, showcased a rich tapestry of red-carpet premieres, full feature screenings, shorts, panels and engaging Q&A sessions. It’s a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of cinema, with a diverse range of films and discussions that cater to all film enthusiasts.
This year, the festival’s red carpet premiere was the documentary titled “Music by John Williams,” a fitting tribute to the greatest film composer of all time. It provides a comprehensive look at his life and work. I had the pleasure of attending this premiere, which was introduced by Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard, two directors who’ve worked with Williams in the past. Spielberg was delighted to share that this was the first time a documentary opened at the AFI Film Festival.
This documentary chronicles the illustrious career of Johnny Williams (professionally known as John Williams) with interviews of Williams himself, directors he’s collaborated with, some musicians, and even celebrities who’ve been influenced by his work. We learn about his upbringing, how he became involved in Hollywood and his journey up to recent times.
I learned a lot from this movie. I wasn’t aware he had jazz albums or a career scoring TV shows. I had zero knowledge about his personal life, including the massively significant circumstance that was pivotal to his creative approach, among other things.
Williams has single-handedly revolutionized cinema due to his brilliant ability to compose film scores. What separates Williams from the other film composers is his capacity to create scores that not only elevate films but become integral as a character of its own. Throughout the doc, there are few examples that show a scene without the score followed by the same scene with music, revealing the drastic difference that proves why and how music plays a part in storytelling.
It’s mind boggling to realize that Williams’ music has impacted several generations. In my case, I grew up listening to the scores of “ET,” “Jurassic Park” and “Home Alone.” The revelation that he scored “Home Alone,” a film I’ve seen countless times, was a delightful surprise. My older kids, on the other hand, grew up with Harry Potter. So from “Jaws” to “Harry Potter,” John Williams’ music has left an indelible mark on three generations, evoking a sense of shared nostalgia and connection.
The relationship between Spielberg and Williams is not just admirable, it’s a beautiful dynamic. Both men are geniuses in their respective areas, but when they collaborate, they elevate each other to masters of cinema. Williams’ scores have the ability to immediately transport you to a galaxy far, far away, the wizarding world of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, or take you back in time while instantaneously breaking your heart with Schindler’s List. Their partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration and the beauty it can bring to the world of cinema.
Williams is, without a doubt, the best film composer of all time. He has single-handedly given cinema a new perspective and experience. He is the reason various venues hold concerts and events conducted by film music composers. In fact, I was in attendance at the Hollywood Bowl (which is featured in the documentary), and I can testify to the magical atmosphere it creates the moment Williams steps onto the stage.
“Music by John Williams” is a delightful documentary about the most significant composer, a man whose brilliance has become part of our cultural zeitgeist. And to quote the master himself: “Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music”
10/10.