Dominant Seventh (1999) User Reviews

CHILD VIOLINST FINALLY GET WHAT HE DESERVES. ATTENTION!

[joky2 · 5 February 2004]

I saw this short film on IFC, then I caught it again on Women's Enertainmen channel. I've never cried watching a short movie before. How does someone get me involved so quickly and make me care about a boy and his father so fast? Seemed to transcend your typical musician movie. It has a complicated underlying theme that leaves me with so many questions. Where did the mother go? IS she dead? Why is the father like the way he is?

I love the scene where he asks his son to go get a newspaper AND then the delviry of the newspaper brings him the message of his demise. IT'S REALLY WELL WRITTEN THAT KEPT ME WONDERING AND ASKING QUESTIONS. THAT'S WHAT DRAMATERGY IS ALL ABOUT RIGHT. Anyway, I loved the acting RAY LASKAand the boy, had amazing chemistry. The director is very good he even wrote it and edited it too!

THE COLORIZATION SEEMED VERY EUROPEAN SOMEHOW OR FRENCH. THE LIGHTING WAS VERY NATURALISTIC. THE CINEMATOGRPAHER DID GREAT WORK TOO.

I LOVE THIS RARE GEM. I WOULD SEE IT AGAIN AND AGAIN!

Excellent Film

[spankie-1 · 10/10 · 6 January 2002]

This was the one of the best short films i have ever seen, and considering i saw only the last 10 mins of it. I am not an easy crier but this was a very well put together and emotional film. I thought it showed that no matter your place in the world you can acheve great things. It's only about 30 mins so you cant go wrong by sitting down and watching Dominant Seventh. I will always remember this movie, and hold it's meaning dear.

A visually rich, heart-rending short film that is guaranteed to raise goose-flesh and pull tears.

[mbacus84 · 10/10 · 27 July 2001]

Dominant Seventh is a rare jewel of a short film -- about 25 minutes -- a story about a musically-gifted boy whose mother is gone and whose father is so consumed by his own grief over the loss of his wife that he is unable to take care of himself, much less attend to the special needs of his child prodigy. The triumph of the film is two fold -- the visuals and sounds of the film are magnificent -- I personally rate them up there with Kurosawa's and Coppola's early works! And the film never resorts to sentimentality to render its audience emotionally overwhelmed. The further treat and thrill of Dominant Seventh is that we get to share, on a very intimate level, what it feels like to be a genius musician! Dom 7 explores the world of musical creation and expression from the inside out and is absolutely successful in that regard -- I am not kidding when I tell you that I got goose-flesh right now, just thinking about one special scene where little Rocco (alone in his drab bedroom) hears the beginnings of a symphony in his head, complete with the sounds of an audience welcoming the conductor and himself, takes his violin, and begins to accompany the "symphony." It is a rare film moment -- one I will always treasure.

Outstanding

[tmace · 10/10 · 5 August 2000]

The kid can play some violin, everyone can act, and the director plays your heartstrings without beating you over the head with cliches. The characters are well-rounded, as alcoholic, loser dad is still a dad and can put his son first. A lot of things happen in just twenty minutes. Also, a nice simplicity to the film, I suppose common with shorts? Hard to say, since one rarely ever sees them. Also, have to say that I really thought it was a nice touch seeing the kid switch suddenly to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" when dad tried to get him to play for money on the streets. A lot was said about how the kid viewed his music and his dad in that one scene. If you get a chance to see this movie, do so.

This director is destined to be one of the greatest!

[canwill35 · 10/10 · 14 July 2000]

I saw this film at the Taos Talking Pictures Festival. I saw it not even knowing anything about it and it blew me away! The way he used the camera, the story telling and art direction were amazing! He is someone with a very sophisticated story telling ability. I met Martin and he was completely humble and sincere. He is going revive films of the Frank Capra days. He said his next project is a feature called "Harlan Poe." Can't wait to pay my 8 bucks for that! Go Martin Nowak!

Domiant Seventh: A Diamond of a Film

[dlyttle · 10/10 · 6 July 2008]

As a victim of child abuse and as a person who yearns to achieve, this film touched me.

It works on so many levels from it's thought-provoking title, which means an unstable musical chord that needs resolution, to the unstable living circumstances of child prodigy, Rocko and his troubled father that needed, ached for a resolution. And that resolution unfolded from character, action and reaction in a deeply satisfying way that still brings tears to this man's eyes.

I taped it off IFC and watch it now and again when I need to experience sadness and triumph. Martin Nowak has talent. I wish there was a site with more information about Mr. Nowak and how he came to make this lovely diamond of a film.

Poor directing and editing

[Runy15 · 3/10 · 16 January 2007]

I got the chance to see this movie recently, and I couldn't help but feel bored and totally unimpressed. There are too many wanna be directors out there that all think they have something going, but will never amount to anything bigger. I do give Martin credit on some of the cinematography, but a true director brings it all together as a whole to create a worthwhile experience for the viewer. The editing was very amateurish, the acting was weak (like they were just reading their lines), and the sound design was basic at best....Sorry, but I am a hardcore critic of these kinds of short films, and it just doesn't come close.

The best short film that I've seen!

[filmic6112 · 5 February 2002]

Saw this film by accident at the Laemmle Sunset Theater in Hollywood. My expectations for short films? Usually very low because they are typically snap shots of life or a one-gag joke. However, this director took on the brave task of acutally telling a story with depth and great sensitivity in a classical style.

A young child prodigy violinist (played by a remarkable, young actor named Pappone)struggles for his father's attention. Meanwhile the drunken father has no appreciation for his son let alone his amazing musical talent. Nowak does a terrific job directing all his actors, not to mention the writing and editing, as the performances are as good as any I've seen come from this town.

Give yourself a treat and watch this mini gem!

It is a heart-warming film with cinematographic excellence!

[jan-147 · 31 August 2000]

In just twenty minutes or so, I was completely wrapped up in this poor dysfunctional family's life. So sad, so real, and such an ending. The same story could have been told in 1-1/2 hours but little added would have been added. I still worry about the father . . . will his son bound for success save him?

The cinematography was excellent too! Dramatic lighting added to the realism of the movie.

I think Martin will be as famous as will his violinist character.