Violet is a shy teenager who dreams of escaping her small town and pursuing her passion to sing. With the help of an unlikely mentor, she enters a local singing competition that will test her integrity, talent and ambition.
Chuck says: This is the sort of film you end up wanting to like more than you should thanks to a winning performance by Elle Fanning as Violet, a young woman with an angel’s voice who longs for more than her tiny village on the Isle of Wight can offer. Unfortunately, this is basically a Flashdance redo that fails to generate any spark. While we all love an underdog story, there’s nothing here that hasn’t been done before and better in other movies.
Pam says: This is a completely predictable story, but still an entertaining one! The characters are vibrant; the adults with their own ghosts to battle and Violet (Fanning) with her sweet innocence regarding the possibilities that lie ahead. Fanning’s performance is a subtle one as she portrays the introverted teen who then comes to life with her voice and inside her mind. Her voice is extraordinary with music choices that are as stellar as her performance. Zlatko Buric plays Vlad, the alcoholic former opera star turned dive bar regular, and together, he and Fanning are magic. Vlad’s character, full of regrets and finding no hope in the future, has a renewed interest in living as he coaches Violet. Check out this film with your teen or on your own and sit back for a story filled with hopes, dreams, and great music.
