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Is there any moviegoing target audience that Hollywood pursues more aggressively than teenage girls? The last two years has felt like a "princess parade," with The Princess Diaries, The Lizzie McGuire Movie, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Freaky Friday, Ella Enchanted, Mean Girls, A Cinderella Story, and First Daughter. Tabloids hype up a "rivalry" between teen screen queens Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan. And the box office shows that audiences aren't yet weary of fashion plate heroines fighting their way to the top of their class or into a royal inheritance.

In Raise Your Voice, Terri Fletcher (Duff) is an aspiring singer who faces more realistic challenges than those conquered by other recent heroines. While still recovering from the shock of a death in the family, Terri gets an offer from a Los Angeles music school. Her father forbids it, but she pursues it anyway, only to find that her dream isn't going to be achieved easily.

The fact that Terri's a Christian girl is pleasing several Christian film critics, but the fact that she defies her father's authority is bothering others.

"The plot has its weak moments, and the group performances sometimes come off as forced, but overall the film accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do: inspire," says Joan Brasher (Christianity Today Movies). "In a sea of teen movies not fit for adults, much less teens, this is a movie I would feel comfortable taking my 14-year-old niece to, and that's a good thing indeed." (Brasher talked with the film's director, Sean McNamara, about his willingness to feature details of Terri's faith in his storytelling.)

Rhonda Handlon (Plugged In) compliments Terri's relatively clean character, who "loves deeply, encourages the underdog, is hard-working and committed, doesn't smoke or drink, and keeps the guy-girl thing pure." But then she asks, "So does that excuse the big, black, ugly blot of deception that runs through her film? Because there are no real consequences experienced by either Terri or her co-conspirators, the message to young filmgoers is that it's okay to pursue your dreams at any cost."

Cliff Vaughn (Ethics Daily) says it's "the perfect vehicle for Duff … who loves to both act and sing. In Raise Your Voice, she gets to do both, and Duff fans will no doubt love it. McNamara … puts together some impressive musical sets. The rhythm is infectious." (Vaughn also interviewed McNamara.)

David DiCerto (Catholic News Service) says it "makes up for its lack of originality with its positive message and effervescent performance by … Duff. While laden with cliché s and schmaltzy follow-your-heart speeches, Raise Your Voice is the kind of uplifting movie that would pass the test of most parents. Family and faith are presented in a positive light and the picture avoids the prurience of most teen movies."

Michael Elliott (Movie Parables) says Duff's fans "may be surprised by the heavily emotional themes of Raise Your Voice. Hilary shows surprising growth as an actress." But there are problems as well. "McNamara … utilized his television experience to complete this shoot under a very tight 30-day schedule—and it unfortunately shows. Plot developments and character arcs feel rushed and superficial."

"Other films … have captured the feeling brilliantly—like Fame … Dead Poet's Society … or Amadeus," says Greg Wright (Hollywood Jesus). "Raise Your Voice updates this theme for the next generation, and in ways that many will find equally satisfying."

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October (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48