Stay Awhile

Stay Awhile, a biographical music documentary released in 2014, directed by Jessica Edwards, lands itself a prominent place in the music documentary genre, with an engaging exploration of a free-wheeling and impactful journey of a Canadian band. The film revolves around the trials and triumphs of a 70’s Canadian pop band named ‘The Bells’, featuring one of the most prominent band couples of that time, Cliff Edwards and Ann Edwards.

The film opens with a rhythmic blending of archival footage and interviews, setting the stage to transport the viewers back to the heyday of The Bells, known for their chartbuster ‘Stay Awhile’. The band, which was a sensation in its prime, recording a string of hits, experienced immense pressure from the music industry and suffered due to the turbulent dynamics of a high profile romantic relationship within the band, eventually leading to its dissolution.

Cliff and Ann Edwards, the pivotal characters in the story, were not just band members but also a couple deeply in love, navigating the tumultuous world of fame, pressure, and personal relationships. The exploration of their journey provides a significant highlight for the film, offering an intimate gaze into how their relationship, career, and family life intertwine. Stay Awhile doesn’t shy away from revealing the gritty realities of being in the limelight and the personal sacrifices involved in chasing a dream.

The director masterfully narrates the story of this unforgettable band through individual perspectives, primarily focusing on Cliff and Ann Edwards, who became the face of The Bells. Their daughter, Jessica Edwards who happens to be the director of the film, adds a deeply personal layer to this on-screen exploration, making it a heartfelt tribute as well as an unbiased chronicle of the forgotten music legends. Her intimate perspective of her parents’ journey lends a unique aspect to the story, distinguishing the film from other documentaries in its genre.

Stay Awhile tells the story of The Bells in a manner that engages not just the enthusiasts of this band, or of the music of that era, but also anyone who appreciates an authentic, heartwarming story of love, ambition, loss, and redemption. The deep dive into the personal life of Cliff and Ann Edwards shows the sacrifices and struggles behind their professional lives, offering a rare peek into the world of music and fame through the lens of love and couplehood.

Through nostalgic music clips, candid interviews with the band members, their families, friends, and colleagues in the industry, the documentary paints a vivid picture of the highs and lows, the fame and obscurity, the unity and rifts of The Bells. It traces the rise and fall of the band while intricately tracing the narrative of Cliff and Ann Edwards, their love story, their collective dream, and the price they paid for it.

Stay Awhile is not just a journey of a forgotten band; it's an exploration of a vanished era. It's a testament to the music culture of the 70s, marked by its unique style, rhythm, rawness, and rebellion. The documentary encapsulates this quickly changing world, providing an appealing, in-depth understanding of this significant time in music history.

An added treat of the movie is the amazing soundtrack, featuring The Bells' best hits that create a deliciously retro ambiance, creating a bridge between the past and the present, making viewers yearn for the simplicity and freedom of the yesteryears.

In conclusion, Stay Awhile is a celebratory, nostalgic, and highly personal musical journey. The way Jessica Edwards handles the material, the story of her parents and their band, makes the narrative engaging on multiple levels, whether it be as a memoir of a band that dreamed big and fell hard, or a couple who, despite their highs and lows, didn't lose sight of their love and affection for each other. This film undoubtedly strikes a chord with viewers, making it a rare gem in the music documentary genre.