"Ennio" — Portrait of a Genius

Though he wasn't a filmmaker, his name is inextricably bound with Italian cinema and some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. Known for his longtime collaborations with directors Giuseppe Tornatore, Sergio Leone, and Quentin Tarantino, Ennio Morricone created the soundtracks for Italian classics like "Cinema Paradiso" and "Malena" and American films like "The Hateful Eight," for which he won an Oscar, and "The Untouchables."

Now, we have a deeply moving documentary that immerses us in the life and music of this modest genius. Written and directed by Tornatore, "Ennio" traces Morricone's path to becoming a renowned composer, focusing on his work on numerous films. It features archival and original footage, poignant interviews with Morricone conducted between 2015 and 2016, and heartfelt conversations with his peers and collaborators. The film spans Morricone's 80+ years in music, from trumpet lessons at six years old to his death at 91 in 2020.

We learn that Morricone aspired as a child to be a doctor, but his father, a professional musician, enrolled him in trumpet lessons and set him on a different path. The documentary features a wonderful clip of Morricone as a boy playing the trumpet. "I was very weak at solfège," Morricone explains, referring to the sol-fa-la syllables of the musical scale. "My father became very strict. During the holidays, I wasn't allowed to play any bingo or card games, and then I improved."

When his father became ill, a young Morricone used his talent to help his family scrape by, but it wasn't a positive experience. "Playing the trumpet to earn enough to eat was a terrible humiliation," he said, "so I stopped loving the trumpet."

Morricone began composing music, studying it formally at an elite conservatory in Rome. There, he met composer Goffredo Petrassi, a teacher whose tough love and sage guidance had a huge impact on Morricone's life and career.

Morricone was perhaps best known for his longtime collaboration with Sergio Leone, the legendary Italian director who launched the Spaghetti-Western genre. The first time they worked together was on Leone's "A Fistful of Dollars," a western set in Mexico. The film was shot in Spain and starred a relatively unknown television actor named Clint Eastwood. When Leone suggested that he might use music by another composer for the final duel in the film, Morricone threatened to walk away. He then created a piece inspired by one of his previous compositions that turned out to be perfect for the dramatic scene while complimenting the film's introductory score.

"Ennio" creates a strong sense of nostalgia, transporting us to black-and-white variety shows of decades gone by and including interviews with peers who have passed away in recent years. It also features contemporary artists who speak to the multi-generational appeal of Morricone's work. One of these artists is Carlo Verdone, who collaborated with Morricone when he was young and is now in the twilight of his own career.

The film highlights how Morricone was truly ahead of his time, taking the world a while to appreciate his immense talent. New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis reminded readers that most American film critics panned "A Fistful of Dollars" when it opened in the United States in 1967. New York Times critic Bosley Crowther was infuriated by its violence and lack of morals and criticized Morricone's music for employing "tricks and themes that sound derivative."

Despite the rough start, Morricone achieved legendary status with his mesmerizing compositions, intense passion for writing, and down-to-earth demeanor. "I feel like I've known him and loved him forever," Quincy Jones commented in the documentary. That sentiment was mirrored by the many people of all ages and backgrounds who were interviewed for the film. Tornatore not only succeeded in creating a portrait of a genius but also captured Morricone's humanity and humble nature, which undoubtedly played a role in his successful collaborations and iconic compositions.

Click here to stream "Ennio" on Amazon Prime Video.

- Written by Jeannine Guilyard for Fra Noi Magazin. Click here to subscribe.

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