Seymour: An Introduction (2015)
90%RT Audience Score: 79%
Awards & Nominations: 2 wins & 2 nominations
Seymour Bernstein’s genuineness shines so brightly in Seymour: An Introduction that viewers will forgive debuting director Ethan Hawke’s reverent treatment.
Seymour: An Introduction” is like having a cool grandpa teach you about music. Ethan Hawke’s documentary is heartwarming and inspiring, with Seymour Bernstein as the lovable and wise mentor. Even if you don’t know anything about piano, watching Bernstein teach and share his passion is a joy. It’s not just a film about music, but about finding purpose and happiness in life. Plus, who knew a bananafish could understand it too?
Production Company(ies)
Preferred Content Sundial Pictures,
Distributor
IFC Films
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
New York City, New York, USA
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG for some mild thematic elements
Year of Release
2015
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 21m
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Language(s):English
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 2015 Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 3, 2015
Genre(s)
Documentary
Keyword(s)
documentary, music, pianist, passion, philosophy, Ethan Hawke, Greg Loser, Heather Smith, Ryan Hawke, PG, English, IFC Films, Seymour Bernstein, reviewed by Jason Bailey, Andrew Pulver, Tom Long, Joe Williams, Bruce Ingram, Peter Keough, Dan Scully, Leslie Combemale, Bernard Boo, Steve Erickson, Daniel Krauze, John Powers, directed by Ethan Hawke, produced by Greg Loser, Heather Smith, Ryan Hawke, box office gross, $580.0K, budget, MPAA rating, Seymour: An Introduction, audience score, critic reviews, audience reviews, verified purchase, Fresh Kernels, TV shows, movies, RT podcast, news, showtimes, actors, actresses, producers, writers, genre, streaming movies, theaters, limited release, documentary film, music education, piano lessons, life philosophy, teaching, performing, classical music, inspiration, motivation, happiness, satisfaction
Worldwide gross: $907,742
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $1,133,106
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,569
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 123,567
US/Canada gross: $743,541
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $928,139
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,207
US/Canada opening weekend: $26,587
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $33,188
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,343
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Ethan Hawke – Self, Director
Greg Loser – Producer
Heather Smith – Producer
Ryan Hawke – Producer
Director(s)
Ethan Hawke
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
Greg Loser, Heather Smith, Ryan Hawke
Film Festivals
Sundance, Telluride, Toronto
Awards & Nominations
2 wins & 2 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (68) | Top Critics (33) | Fresh (68)
Not only a very fine documentary, but a warm and likable one to boot.
June 18, 2016
Jason Bailey
Flavorwire
TOP CRITIC
There’s no pressing story to tell, or even especially vital achievement to record, so the film probably counts as bit of self-indulgence from Hawke, but it’s got a very good heart.
March 24, 2016 | Rating: 3/5
Andrew Pulver
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
The great joy of the film, whether you know piano or not, is watching Bernstein teach.
April 10, 2015 | Rating: B
Tom Long
Detroit News
TOP CRITIC
Hawke’s cinematic etude may not unlock all the mysteries of music, but “Seymour: An Introduction” is universal enough to be understood by a bananafish.
April 9, 2015 | Rating: 3/4
Joe Williams
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TOP CRITIC
Coming off of his superb one-two performances for Richard Linklater in Before Midnight and Boyhood, Hawke continues to work at a creative high level. He demonstrates a rapport and openness with his subject that proves exceptionally affecting.
March 26, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Bruce Ingram
Chicago Sun-Times
TOP CRITIC
Whether or not Hawke got any answers to his questions about the purpose of being artist, seeking them under the guidance of a teacher like Bernstein resulted in this work of art.
March 26, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4
Peter Keough
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
Watching Seymour: An Introduction is like receiving a motivational speech from someone who is not just the best at what they do, but also the best person they can possible be.
April 9, 2020
Dan Scully
Cinema76
Gorgeously straightforward yet emotional.
August 5, 2019 | Rating: 5/5
Leslie Combemale
Cinema Siren (YouTube)
This is classy, dynamic filmmaking that reduced me to tears.
March 14, 2019 | Rating: 8.5/10
Bernard Boo
Way Too Indie
Academy Award or not, Hawke and Bernstein make a better case than Chazelle and J.K. Simmons.
September 28, 2018
Steve Erickson
Nashville Scene
Whether teaching, reviewing new pianos or demonstrating how he plays a specific piece, Bernstein radiates joy and enthusiasm.[Full review in Spanish]
September 28, 2018
Daniel Krauze
El Financiero
Gossip isn’t what [director Ethan] Hawke is after. No, what he’s after is no less than the secret of a happy, satisfying artistic life – heck, of a happy, satisfying life in general – and the delightful Bernstein seems to have figured it out.
May 16, 2018
John Powers
NPR’s Fresh Air…
Plot
Seymour Bernstein, a pianist who gave up performing for teaching, discusses his passion for music and philosophy of life in this documentary directed by Ethan Hawke.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Seymour Bernstein, the subject of the documentary, is a former concert pianist who gave up performing to become a piano teacher.
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