I was deeply surprised by this movie. Considering I haven't enjoyed a Disney Original small-screen movie since Halloweentown, I was very reluctant to watch this one. Not to mention, I am not a fan of Sonny with a Chance, on which Sterling is a regular cast member. But I can happily say that I have never been more surprised by a made-for-TV film.
There is something in the essence of this film that draws the viewer in and keeps them deeply invested in the storyline. The young talent that makes up most of the cast is a realistic mix of good and bad acting, with the two leads- Danielle and Sterling- bringing far more to their characters than the predictable dialogue affords. Sterling, as the typical teen idol who lives life in a fantasy world as fake as a Hollywood movie, does favorable credit to the role of the selfish and arrogant teen music sensation Christopher Wilde. And Danielle, as his feet-on-the-ground, non-fan love interest Jessica Olsen, offers a sense of chemistry to the pairing that I rarely see in Disney's Originals. Neither is a brilliant actor, but they truly complement each other's talents and flaws in a realistic manner.
The plot is a recycled story to be sure. But there is a lot of originality in the specific scenes. For instance, a trip to the ER, and the sinking of a car are what writers refer to as 'plot devices', but the style in which these scenes were written, shot, and acted gives them new life.
Perhaps the main detriment to this film is the predictable dialogue. While there is a freshness to the script of this film, there are several moments in the action where I was literally able to finish the characters' lines before they did so on the screen.
Overall, this is a solid film with a feel-good vibe, but its flare is not nearly as strong as the film makers would have wished it to be. 7 out 10, and well worth a watch if you are a Sterling fan, a Disney Originals fan, or a Danielle fan. But do not expect perfection; you will not find it. And I think that is the heart of the charm of this movie- the flaws.
There is something in the essence of this film that draws the viewer in and keeps them deeply invested in the storyline. The young talent that makes up most of the cast is a realistic mix of good and bad acting, with the two leads- Danielle and Sterling- bringing far more to their characters than the predictable dialogue affords. Sterling, as the typical teen idol who lives life in a fantasy world as fake as a Hollywood movie, does favorable credit to the role of the selfish and arrogant teen music sensation Christopher Wilde. And Danielle, as his feet-on-the-ground, non-fan love interest Jessica Olsen, offers a sense of chemistry to the pairing that I rarely see in Disney's Originals. Neither is a brilliant actor, but they truly complement each other's talents and flaws in a realistic manner.
The plot is a recycled story to be sure. But there is a lot of originality in the specific scenes. For instance, a trip to the ER, and the sinking of a car are what writers refer to as 'plot devices', but the style in which these scenes were written, shot, and acted gives them new life.
Perhaps the main detriment to this film is the predictable dialogue. While there is a freshness to the script of this film, there are several moments in the action where I was literally able to finish the characters' lines before they did so on the screen.
Overall, this is a solid film with a feel-good vibe, but its flare is not nearly as strong as the film makers would have wished it to be. 7 out 10, and well worth a watch if you are a Sterling fan, a Disney Originals fan, or a Danielle fan. But do not expect perfection; you will not find it. And I think that is the heart of the charm of this movie- the flaws.