Watch They Came to Play For Free

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

I saw this film in New York together with a large audience that was roaring with laughter. The characters are impeccably selected, every shot is delightfully planned and composed, and the editing is intelligent and fast-paced. The filmmakers show tremendous compassion and admiration for their subjects, while keeping the film light, quirky, and funny. Combine that with a deep understanding not only of classical music, but also of the vagaries of human destiny, and you've got a pretty difficult balancing act.The fact that, after laughing with the characters for almost two hours, the New York audience rose to its feet to give a hero's welcome to the finalists of the competition, who were in attendance, is a testament to the filmmakers' ability to pull this balancing act flawlessly.

Here is a film that when you leave with friends you can actually sit down and have a conversation about it.The passion of the people in this exciting competition and the story each tells through the film offer many emotions. The music is wonderful.As the competition unfolds you find yourself involved and perhaps even wondering or rooting for one of these truly talented people who in their "spare time" just happen to have a passion for playing the piano. The director allows each of the stories to unfold without bias.Go see and listen -- you'll have a good time.

"They came to play" is as uplifting as it is inspiring, as funny as it is touching. The movie establishes a personal and intimate relationship with its characters – unique personalities indeed. Its flawless change of perspective from the main characters, everyday individuals with real-life problems, and a passion to play the piano at the highest level, to their families, and the awed audience of the Van Cliburn Classical piano competition for Amateurs creates a perfect pace for this documentary and involves the movie audience in this incredible experience of fulfilling dreams in spite of life's many obstacles. For music lovers, the performances and musical choices are an exquisite treat. Without giving away the stories that this movie tells so piercingly, the choice of characters and participants is beautifully varied, and any viewers may find a little bit of themselves in these incredible individuals. Doubtlessly, this movie is an inspiration for those afflicted with a life-long love for music, regardless of where life has taken them. Beyond filling musical hearts with joy, however, this labor of love is so caringly crafted that it also warms the souls of non-musicians. The message is clear, whatever your background, whatever your interest, live your dream. Enrich your life at home, in your family, at work, and the lives of those around you, by tenaciously pursuing that passion that is uniquely you; like a true lover would.

This movie is a joy to watch and clearly shows how to live life well no matter what we do for a living. It was well received at both Lincoln Center at Juilliard and at Rockefeller University.The film brings explores the blessings that music brings us and it lifts us up in unexpected ways. It shows us how the spirit inside of each of us can be reborn and filled with love and passion even when we are in our darkest moment addicted to drugs and having lost everything. And through the human spirit of triumph, music can bring people together and become married and it can even drive them away from each other as result of their differing passion for the subject.The film also shows us how music brings joy to a man afflicted by aids who soul searches for why he is different. And yet his message is deep for why he is alive while his partner had passed on. The film shows the goodness of this man and how special he is. The film also shows how the love of music triumphs becoming a fearless force so that nothing can kill the hope, the dreams that one has even if we struggle with our hearing because of cancer. I, also personally witnessed how the film inspired the audience. When watching the film, I sat next to a former Van Cliburn professional contestant from 40 years ago and the film made him contemplate the thought of playing again after putting down a deep love and career many years ago. So this film is a passion that does not leave us no matter how life gets in the way. It brings people together the way music does. Its nature is that of music and it inspires us to live life well.