film review
Review: 'American Symphony' Captures Creative Genius in Crisis
Jon Batiste's journey through triumph and tragedy makes for compelling, if uneven, viewing.
David TorresDecember 1, 20255 min read
Matthew Heineman's American Symphony attempts to document two stories simultaneously: Jon Batiste's creation of an ambitious orchestral work and his wife Suleika Jaouad's cancer recurrence. It's an ambitious structure that doesn't always succeed.
What Works
The musical sequences are transcendent. Watching Batiste compose, conduct, and perform is to witness genius in motion. His creative process—messy, intuitive, brilliant—is captured with rare intimacy.
What Doesn't
The film struggles to balance its dual narratives. Suleika's story, while deeply moving, sometimes feels underserved, rushed past in service of the musical journey.