The new MGM+ docuseries, “In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon,” delves into the illustrious career of the respected music icon, honing in on one aspect many may have forgotten - his unique foray into filmmaking. Paul Simon's attempt to step into the film industry, particularly with "One-Trick Pony", was a standout chapter in his otherwise polished career.
"One-Trick Pony", the film Simon wrote and starred in, had an intimate, semi-autobiographical story at its heart, portraying a singer-songwriter at the crossroads of life. Mixed reviews following the film's release and its subsequent commercial failure marked it as one of Simon's considerable missteps. Despite that, "In Restless Dreams" situates it as a relevant piece of his professional journey, potentially inspiring fans to revisit the film.
The film embodied Simon's desire to venture outside his musical comfort zone. However, despite his earnest efforts, Simon's onscreen character appeared a world apart from the superstar the audience knew. The artistic frustrations of Jonah, the film's protagonist, echoed some of Simon's own struggles, yet the musician-turned-actor could not convincingly portray this fictional counterpart.
Simon's aspirations to reflect an authentic depiction of a musician's life in "One Trick Pony" fell short due to his lack of identification with the character, and perhaps his disconnect from the realities of struggling artists. Furthermore, Simon's limited acting experience did not lend itself well to a lead role, failing to draw viewers into Jonah's journey.
There was, however, genuine empathy in Simon's portrayal of Jonah, a stark contrast to his own successful career. This empathy, along with the nuanced insight into the unpredictable music industry, gives the film a peculiar resonance when viewed today. Presenting the aspirational versus the actual side of creative pursuits, "One-Trick Pony" emerges as a touching, albeit slightly misdirected, testament to the trials of crafting art.
Despite this venture's shortcomings, Paul Simon has continued to excel in his career, diversifying further and refusing to let setbacks halt his progress. This echoing theme of Paul Simon's resilience, repeatedly highlighted in “In Restless Dreams,” gives "One-Trick Pony" an intriguing, if haunting, aftertaste as an episode in the prolific artist's journey.
