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By
ALEXIA ARGYROU
Hilary Duff stars as a young
woman with dreams of making her mark in the world
of music. She longs to attend a prestigious summer
music program, but her father is resistant to the
idea since she's only 16 and she'd be going to Los
Angeles. When her older brother, who also happens
to be her best friend, dies in a car accident she
refuses to sing again. Her mother, trying to find
a way to inspire her, sends her off to the music
program and lies to her husband about where their
daughter is.
It is a touching and sentimental story, and
although we know early on exactly where the plot
is taking us, it is a pleasant enough journey.
Duff plays her awkward and uncomfortable character
well -- it is hard to watch her pretend to louse
up a song or to sing off key.
The one plot element I had trouble with was how
everyone was lying to the young woman's father.
How could that possibly pull the family back
together after the tragedy the suffered? It was
simply not credible.
Bonus features include deleted scenes and
outtakes, a music video, a behind-the-scenes
featurette, and a music game.
Bottom line: Preteen girls will enjoy "Raise Your
Voice" more than anyone else, but Duff is likable
enough to charm a wider audience. |
