Good concept, poorly executed.

A different way of telling a story

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

I saw the DVD in a store and bought it on the strength of Gail O'Grady starring in it as I had liked her work on NYPD Blue. I have seen it perhaps three times and it is, on its own terms, better than average made for TV fare. Three things bothered me about the story, though. First, since our heroine Maggie's son has a band and she claims to believe in his singing talent, why does she never ask Deacon to listen to his demo tape or help him in any way at all? Second, where are the lawyers? Even if Deacon was only planning to use Maggie's voice behind (more like in front) of Sunni's when he started out at that first recording session, he would know that he needed a signed release from her even if she was not to be put under contract. Not doing so might (ought to) have made Maggie suspicious. Besides, he doesn't have much money at that point and her fee would be a business expense if he could document it. The story could reach the concert conclusion by way of legal maneuvering rather than hijacking the control room. Third, and last, it doesn't quite ring true that Maggie would have been able to instantly cast off her fear of singing in public quite so easily at the end. When Deacon introduces her to the crowd and the film cuts to her view through that sheer drape, right before she steps in front of it on the stage, I expected her to start singing from there where the audience couldn't see her except perhaps in silhouette.

This TV flick doesn't live up to music channel VH1's claim of "movies that rock." The idea was good, but both the script and the execution are pedestrian. The whole thing comes off about as compelling as an old Milli Vanilli track, and as forgettable. The singing of Kari Wuhrer's character is so bad it's an insult to the audience, as if we couldn't tell otherwise. Wuhrer does manage to get us to laugh a time or two, though. Once again we're treated to the spectacle of movie characters going gaga over songs and singing that really aren't that great. On top of that, the ending is unbelievably Hollywood-corny. This film wastes the talent of those in it and wastes the time of those watching.

I like it. It seemed like a nice modern update of Singin' in the Rain (Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds) with Gail O'Grady in the Reynolds part. Add in a little "Milli Vanilli" to the theme and you have a good rendition of "Out of Sync".

This VH1 Original Movie was one of the freshest made-for-TV films I've seen this year. The main characters were well-developed, complicated, wacky, interesting people. The story was innovative, hilariously funny at times, and thoroughly entertaining throughout.For TV fare, this is an exceptional flick. Catch it if you can.