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Raise Your Voice Our rating: Rate this movie   MPAA rating: PG (for thematic elements and language) Theater release: October 08, 2004 by New Line Cinema Directed by: Sean McNamara Runtime: 1 hour 43 minutes Cast: Hilary Duff (Terri Fletcher), Rita Wilson (Francis Fletcher), David Keith (Simon Fletcher), Jason Ritter (Paul Fletcher) Rebecca De Mornay (Aunt Nina), Oliver James (Jay), John Corbett (Mr. Torvald) Related: Talk About It/Family Corner

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In Raise Your Voice, Hilary Duff (The Lizzie McGuire Movie, A Cinderella Story) plays Terri Fletcher, an Arizona teen who longs to be-you guessed it-a singer. She's a faithful member of her church choir and an obedient daughter-unlike her rebellious brother (Jason Ritter, Joan of Arcadia) who constantly clashes with their strict father (David Keith, Daredevil). When Terri is accepted into a summer program at a Los Angeles performing arts school, her father forbids her to go, but after personal tragedy strikes, Terri lies to her father and takes off for LA with the help of her mother (Rita Wilson, Runaway Bride) and her artsy Aunt Nina (Rebecca De Mornay, Identity).

Hilary Duff plays Terri, a teenage girl determined to follow her musical dreams

Terri's life soon gets complicated as she struggles to keep up her deception while trying to fit in with some very talented and competitive students. A scholarship will be awarded at the end of the summer, and most of the students want the money more than they want to make friends. Intimidated, Terri struggles to even squeak out her first solo with the whole class watching. In time, she gains confidence and starts to make friends, including Jay (Oliver James, What a Girl Wants), whose jealous ex-girlfriend is also a fellow student. John Corbett (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Raising Helen) serves as Terri's teacher, mentor and friend, and the film's message of following your dreams and reaching for the stars is infused into every scene and musical number.

Jay (Oliver James) and Terri (Duff) make, uh, beautiful music together

Raise Your Voice is a scrubbed-up Fame redux that gives the 17-year-old Duff the opportunity to continue developing her acting skills while showcasing her vocal chops. What's unique about this mostly predictable movie is its goodness and its nods toward faith and family when it could have so easily gone the other way. Writer Sam Schreiber made a point of incorporating elements of faith into the script, including a cross pendant Terri wears and relies on for comfort throughout the film. There is also a powerful scene in which Terri, turning to her faith in a time of crisis, goes to a church to pray.

Director Sean McNamara (TV's That's So Raven, Even Stevens), a devoted Catholic, made sure that the character's faith in God was an important part of the plot. He also chose numerous sacred and contemporary Christian songs to help propel the story forward. His own church choir, St. Agatha's in Los Angeles, is featured on the soundtrack. McNamara dedicated the film to his mother, who passed away during pre-production of the film. Crediting her support for his own success, he changed the film's original location from New York to Los Angeles so he could feature places that had been special to her. This kind of warmth is reflected in a film that touches on some difficult subjects without losing its sweetness.

Mr. Torvald (John Corbett) is Terri's teacher, friend and mentor

At 16, Duff carries off the lead role with confidence and grace, exuding a kind of fresh-faced naiveténot often found in other young female stars these days. 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. 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.

1. What made Terri decide to lie to her father? Is it acceptable to lie if it's for a good reason? Does her dad's unreasonable attitude make it OK to lie? Why or why not?
   
   
2. In what ways did the death of a family member contribute to Terri's decision to run away? Was her reaction to the death reasonable?
   
   
3. Why was Terri's father so strict? What was his motivation, and should he have handled things differently? Was it wrong to want to protect his daughter?
   
   
4. Terri's mother and aunt helped with the deception. What kind of message did that send to Terri? Who should bear the greater blame for the lie, Terri, or the adults who helped her?
   
   
5. Terri had the opportunity to get into a physical relationship with her new boyfriend, but chose not to. What kinds of things can young girls say when presented with a similar situation? What guidelines should they keep in mind?

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Music Man	Printer view
Director Sean McNamara, who grew up listening to and playing music, brought his love for tunes to the feature film Raise Your Voice, starring Hilary Duff and opening this week.