TV bio-pics never tend to work very well, but that doesn't mean there is not a reason to watch. People like to watch this genre of movie for two reasons: a) to see how much the actors look like the real people, and b) to see how the historic events that we have heard so much of, are played out. David Cassidy and the Partridge Family Years delivers.
Andrew Kavovit plays David Cassidy, the 1970's super star who played Keith on the now classic TV series, and launched a huge (but short lived) pop career. All the important supporting players are there, including step mom Shirley, and co-star Susan Dey. The story centers mainly on David's relationship with his cantankerous father Jack.
According the film Jack sends young David on an audition for a new TV series about a singing family. Since step mom Shirley is already the lead, David is a shoe in for the part. The show takes off and David is able to launch a singing career. Ironically, David is not able sing the music he loves, and in the end is persecuted by the public for singing the pop music he hates. David's father, who mentions at one point that he turned down a part on that 'new Mary Tyler Moore Show' playing Ted Knight, is jealous of his sons huge success.
And that is pretty much the story.
Now, as a movie, this film is OK. The cast does look a bit like the characters they are playing. I thought they made Susan Dey look like a complete moron, but I can live with that. The costumes and the hair styles are fun as well.
All in all it is pretty obvious that we are watching a low budget TV movie, but I can live with that as well. The major scandals are covered nicely and we are treated to some of those classic tunes (as sappy as they are) throughout the film.
David Cassidy and the Partridge Family Years knows its limitations and doesn't try to over step them. Not a bad movie if there is nothing else on.
