The Last Hammer Blow

6/13/2020

Absolutely adored this film. From a creative perspective this is a story of humanity that demonstrates "show don't tell". Full of nuance, intense, touching, profound. A 14 year old lives with his dying mother in a caravan near the sea in Montpelier, he has never met his father, he attends school, plays football and admires his neighbour's daughter. His mother is wasting away, she shares nothing of what's going on. Few characters have much to say to each other, we use our imagination to fill in the gaps. Victor turns up at the venue where his father is rehearsing. He is the conductor, authorative, gruff, an impatient man. He allows Victor to observe them rehearse Mahler's 6th symphony - the inspiration for the title - sublime music with it's infamous, metaphoric three hammer blows.