rzajac
I'm really conflicted. I'll Be There has a lot to recommend it: It has some great writing, not half bad story management, good direction and performances, fun musical numbers that feel real, yet tight. And it *feels* wonderful.But a few aspects of the final product threaten to "down" it. One has to do with the fact that the story is what I call "operatic", by which I mean that the story can be told in 50 words or less, and the success or failure of the flick comes down to whether it dealt effectively with that limitation. And there are times when one has to wonder. Also, there are moments where the ball on character development seems to be fumbled; folks say and do things, here and there, that seem to muddle their characters a bit.But I can still recommend it. I notice that a lot of the folks here are fans of Ms. Church. I'm a fan of Ferguson, and this is my first encounter with Church. She was the weakest acting professional of the lot, and she was pretty darned good: I say this to emphasize the wicked good acting that infests the flick pretty much from beginning to end. At times I felt that there were individual scenes that were so good, they alone made me glad I watched the flick. An early scene in the pub with a knot of Kerr fans resolving their (initially) conflicted feelings about him was mindblowingly good!I'd love to give the flick a higher rating, as I give high ratings to films that move me, which this one did... But I have to demur and back off a little: There were too many fleeting moments of balls getting dropped, and that seriously impacts the overall effect of a film.Glad it was made: Good flick: Go watch it!
WheelerClown
I found this movie to up upbeat and even a bit heartwarming. The plot was perhaps a little contrived, but I'm a sucker for happy endings and movies about families that, eventually at least, work it out.Perhaps I have a better DVD than one of the other reviewers, because I found nothing wrong with the sound quality of the film. The acting wasn't up to Academy Award standards, was was quite good, and there were some very funny parts, although some of the "British" comments went over my American head. Charlotte Church's voice is always a pleasure to hear and while the songs in this movie weren't of the type she really excels in, she still has "the voice of an angel" and her singing alone would have made the film worthwhile. The other principal actors were quite good as well, and it was fun seeing Anthony Head play a low key villain after seeing him for so many years as Buffy's adviser and protector.
John Roy (JohnBoyRoy)
I viewed this film on the way back from NYC to LOndon.In a cramped plane seat and a world of boredom this film did not shine. Miss Church is laughable (admittedly only in places), the characters are stereotyped and the dialogue contrived and generally unfunny.Most of the laughs come from the crappines of the film but there are some good moments in the loony bin and with the "Australian" mate.Honestly though, its an absolute abortion. Would never have been made if Charlotte Church's a**e wasn't in it. See for this reason ONLY.Line ten needed by the imdb bods. I thank you.
MarkB-11
I suppose there's not much edge to a film where a dad learns he has a child, actually cares and actually becomes a loving man. Not much there, eh, folks? Is that what 'characterless' means? Should he have thrown a fit? Should she have gone Goth and taken up ska?This is a sweet little film that failed to find an audience, which is a real shame. Craig Ferguson's script is sensible and caring and intelligent, as are the actors. The only possible quibble I have is that Phillipa Law might be underused. But then, her character wasn't really needed. Contrary to other opinions, Charlotte definitely managed to hold up her end. Was she given a Julia Stiles-level part. I think not, nor would that have been right to do.Cute little film, with a good mix of music.8 of 10.
AD
