I'll Be There

It was by pure coincidence that I saw this movie. When I heard that the movie flopped, I was very surprised. I considered it to be funny, entertaining and with great music. One of the best movies I saw in 2003, only to be beat by Amelie.

In the final credits it lists "in memory of David "Kam" Covner 1070-2002" Who is he? P.S. My wife and I both loved this little gem. Watched it on a cold and damp Saturday with smiles on our faces. Ms. Church has a sweet voice and she can act right there with the best of them. Craig Fergesun really fooled us though, we kind of thought that he was only good for late night television (and only just) when all of a sudden here's this real actor, playing a character with real acting skills.( I know that sounds bad Craig, sorry. I mean it as a complement.) Ms. Richardson, ah yes. What a beauty! She and Ms. Church really could be mother and daughter, both in looks and the way they interact with each other.

I never got the chance to see the movie while it was in the theaters but I bought the DVD as soon as it came into the stores. I have been a big fan of Charlotte Church since I first heard her "Voice Of An Angel" CD. I was hesitant about her performance as an actor because I didn't want to witness her doing something less than brilliant. I was very pleased. Her acting ability is fabulous. She is definitely a multi talented performer. Bravo Charlotte.

I also loved the story line and scope of the movie. It made me laugh, cry and applaude several times through the movie.

I am very pleased that I bought the DVD. I watch it several times a month.

Olivia (Charlotte Church) is a sixteen year old with a heavenly voice. Her mother, Rebecca (Jemma Redgrave), however, will not allow her daughter to even imagine a career in music. That is because Olivia is the child of a weekend encounter Rebecca had with a rock star long ago. Voila. The rock star ends up in the hospital and soon after learns he has a lovely daughter. He never got Rebecca's letters of information, it seems. Can the aging rocker turn his life around and become a true father to his child? And, will Olivia be able to pursue a future that makes use of her stunning voice? This is a nice film in many ways. Church is great as the teenager and her voice is beyond compare. The other actors are also quite nice, the Wales setting is beautiful, and the movie's production values are more than adequate. Most important, the message of forgiveness resounds throughout the movie, a message that is needed by everyone. If you like music, romance, and humor, and who does not, get this very fine film at some point in the near future. It is a sweet movie that will make viewers everywhere feel on top of the world.

A better than expected "star" vehicle for Charlotte Church's film debut. She inevitably gets some criticism for just being herself in normal life but in this film she is at least as good as most 16 year old actresses with possibly rather more training would be albeit it's true that to some extent she is playing herself. I've always thought Jemma Redgrave to be a wooden actress but she isn't too bad here and does a good job of looking extremely proud of her daughter by the end. The flashback when she plays herself at 18 stretches the imagination though.

Joss Ackland is quite effective as the old rocker of a grandfather. He seems to be having a ball singing with the rock band and it is his own voice. I just about remembered he has sung in the past and played Juan Peron on the original album of Evita.

Craig Ferguson is in mixed form as the rock star. Early on he is a caricature and doesn't act very well in the attempt but as the character calms down he gives a better performance.

Overall a good family film - A predictable ending (It was obvious what Charlotte's closing song in the film would be from very early on - Anbd the title gave another clue) but none the worse for that.