‘The Only Girl in the Orchestra’ Netflix Review - Wonder Woman

Leonard Bernstein called her "as impossible as any miracle," but Orin O'Brien doesn't consider herself a great artist. Even in her late eighties, she worries about going late on the stage as if she is performing for the first time and doesn't want to spoil her image in front of other members of the team. This is what I think makes Orin a star, a genius, an artist: She is entirely devoted to her work and her work ethic. With The Only Girl in the Orchestra, director Molly O'Brien (Orin's niece) wants to celebrate the life and career of this wonder woman who lived on her own terms and was thrust unwillingly into the spotlight. Orin's parents were famous movie stars - George O'Brien and Marguerite Churchill. Still, Orin was never seduced by fame or money. An explanation can be found in Orin's recollection of her father, who, after completing his military service, continued waiting for an offer to act as a hero of a film. He spent his days waiting for the phone to ring. If you start finding joy in things like giving autographs to people who recognize you in public, you will fall into depression when you are removed from the spotlight. Such appreciations are fickle, and by becoming addicted to them, you will only set yourself up for affliction.

Orin probably, through observation, understood this early in her life and decided to do her job silently as a part of a team. The most important lesson she learned as an aspiring double bassist is that you should never stick out from the crowd - be in sync with other team members. As a young kid, Orin fell in love with Beethoven and realized she could express herself through music. When George and Marguerite were going through a divorce, Orin used to play the bass for hours, as it helped her release intense emotions, which provided her relief. On the other hand, she really wanted to learn to play the instrument. A double bassist must be strong, or else he/she won't be able to handle the strings. Orin talks about her profession fervently, but when asked to go into personal territories, her tone becomes casual - there is no sentimentality. Orin seems like one of those people who don't waste time selling sob stories.

Molly understands Orin's personality, which is why she doesn't waste time boring us with talking heads dispensing praises about Orin. When tears flow down someone's eyes in the documentary, the camera doesn't stay on the person's face to leave the audience misty-eyed. Most importantly, The Only Girl in the Orchestra runs for 35 minutes, which seems appropriate given that Orin doesn't like listening to too many compliments about her achievements or life. The documentary has a brisk pace, and since it celebrates Orin's retirement (her friends sing a song for her), it exudes a cozy, home video vibe. On the film's website (onlygirlintheorchestra.com), there is a note from the director that says, "The Only Girl in the Orchestra is an attempt at capturing Orin's passion, essence and perseverance…bottling it and offering it to audiences as a visual perfume." Well, Molly has succeeded in her mission. The visual perfume is quite pleasing.

Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Vikas Yadav
Follow @vikasonorous on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times