Greetings again from the darkness. There aren't many Opera singer-Romantic Comedies, so that alone made this one worth checking out. Writer-director Ben Lewin (THE SESSIONS, 2012) co-wrote the script with Allen Palmer (his first feature film) and cast the film perfectly, while also gifting us an inordinate amount of beautiful singing voices, as well as a uniquely picturesque setting in the Scottish Highlands.
Danielle Macdonald (PATTI CAKE$, 2017) stars as Millie, an American who has been living in London, and establishing herself as a highly successful fund manager. After an evening at the opera with her boyfriend (and co-worker) Charlie (Shazad Latif, "Penny Dreadful"), Millie makes a life-altering decision. Rather than accept a big promotion at work, she's going to sacrifice her career and follow her dream of becoming an opera singer. Of course, as with most rom-coms, none of this really makes much sense. Rather than compare this to reality, it's best to enjoy the fun parts (and there are plenty) and disregard the rest.
Those fun parts begin once Millie leaves London and lands in the Scottish Highlands. Her first comical interaction is with the proprietor of The Filthy Pig played by Gary Lewis (GANGS OF NEW YORK, 2002). This only pub in the village also serves as its only restaurant and motel. More zaniness ensues as Millie auditions for Megan Geoffrey-Bishop (a terrific Joanna Lumley, "Absolutely Fabulous"), a "retired" singing teacher who once made her own mark on the stage. Her only current pupil is Max (Hugh Skinner, LES MISERABLES, 2002), a local who has been training for years. Max and Millie have the same goal - qualify for the 'Singer of Renowned' competition. So we immediately know where this is headed ... and sure enough, it does.
While much of the story focuses on the 'will they or won't they' connection between Millie and Max, it's Ms. Lumley who steals every scene she's in. Her theory that opera singers must suffer is part of her curriculum for both of her students. At first we aren't sure whether she's just taking Millie's money because she needs it, but that answer comes soon enough. The actual competition is packed with amazing singing voices, and the three-way love story follows many of the rom-com clichés - though we don't seem to care because Millie and Max are so torn between their dream and each other, and Ms. Lumley just keeps cracking wise.
Of course we know that opera singers train most of their lives for competitions and stage roles, so it's absurd to think that a fund manager can take a year off work and reach this level. But again, this isn't about reality. No, this is about Millie singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" like you've never heard it before. It's about "fish and chips without the vinegar". It's about not wanting to rent a room because the floor would need to be mopped. It's about opening your heart and chasing a passion - following a dream. And we can all use a little of that right now.
In select theaters and on VOD beginning October 1, 2021.
