Raise Your Voice
review by Joan Brasher | posted 10/08/2004
 1 of 3
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.
Browse More Movies
CT Movies Home Page | Now Showing | New on Video | All Reviews
Coming Soon | Discussion Guides | Interviews | Commentary
News & Misc. | Special Sections | About Us
Your Feedback | About Us | CT Mag Home Page
| |
|
Printer view
