Nola

I found the IMDB score of 5.4 way off the mark and distinctly ungenerous. I wonder if it that reflects the film was made in 2003 and went straight to TV?

The actors are not just good (some real stars) but on form. The dialog was never going to win an oscar but is interesting and engaging; it even has some moments of quite pithy intelligence. The plot is nicely paced and well developed, if predictable. I liked the cinderellla formula, a bit idealistic but gritty enough not to seem too easy. The characters are nicely drawn, detailed, varied and each finds their own voice. The production values are good, and beat hallmark standards out of sight.

RECOMMENDED.

Your humble reviewer is supposed to be knowledgeable about what markets films are made for and what the writers were thinking but I confess this one remains a mystery to me.

Unfortunately it is not meant to be a mystery, it is meant to be a light (very light) romcom.

Rossum pretty much carries the film on her back and if you stick it out to the end (a very big "if") you will get a song you will not forget.

The rest of the film you may try to forget. The tone is bizarre. Very odd.

Keep in mind that one of the key themes here is sex and escort services. Somehow, this is not a compliment, the writers manage to tackle that topic without ever leaving the safety zone of a Lifetime movie or, in some scenes, the Disney Channel.

An amazing feat but a feat no one asked for.

Some of the worst dialogue clunkers in the history of cinema. Utterly unrealistic situations and characters. One must suppose that writer/director Hruska thought he was making a charming movie with aspirations to pay homage to Hollywood comedies of the 40s. Problem is, this movie does not have one funny line in its bloated length. Also, the subject matter does not easily lend itself to breezy comedy, and most certainly does not the way it's treated here. Performances are lackluster with special mention going to James Badge Dale as Ben. Mr. Dale has the charisma of a warm turd and, strangely enough, the acting ability of one.

"Nola" is certainly not a masterpiece. On the other hand, it's not a bad movie.

I watched "Nola" because I am a HUGE Emmy Rossum fan. I think she's brilliant, beautiful and has an outstanding singing voice. In "Nola", Emmy plays an eighteen-year-old named Nola (shocker, right?). Nola moves from an abusive Kansas home to New York City in search of her father and meets some very interesting characters along the way, turning her search for her father into an "adventure".

The first 45 minutes of "Nola" are almost pure romantic comedy. After those first 45 minutes, though, a strange subplot is put into action. The subplot is fairly cheesy and not near as entertaining as I think it was meant to be. But Emmy Rossum's acting saved it. The highlights of the movie were Emmy Rossum's songs. The first was "Street of Dreams" which she sang at the very beginning, and the second was "Don't Break My Heart" which Emmy sang at the end. Her singing voice was amazing and the songs had depth.

On the whole, "Nola" is funny, sweet, and sometimes very much outlandish. I would watch again.

I thought that "Nola" was a step or two down from movies like, "The Phantom" and "Mystic River". She should stick with feature films on the big screen and musicals. Isn't lifetime movies usually cast with actors that have been around for awhile? All I know is that after seeing "The Phantom" and then "Nola", I was just so let down:-( She seemed almost "average", which she is anything but!! I am hoping that the "Posiedon" will be great, with all of the great cast, including Emma. Kurt Russell and Josh Lucas are wonderful in almost everything they do. Well, I hope I didn't offend anyone, but I had to speak my mind. Emma is just too pretty and talented to be cast in an average, boring role!