Kate Barker-Froyland's directorial debut is a contemplative, heart-on-its-sleeve affair that marks a change of pace for Anne Hathaway following blockbusters such as Les Misérables and Interstellar. Although Barker-Froyland fills the film with music, Hathaway's Franny is more of a listener than a musician. After her younger brother, Henry, a subway busker, ends up in a coma following a traffic accident, Franny returns to Brooklyn from Morocco, where she's been working on her doctorate in anthropology. Going through Henry's belongings, she notices the name of British troubadour James Forester (Johnny Flynn). Forester happens to be performing in town that week, so she introduces herself after a show, and Forester later turns up at Henry's hospital room, although it's hard to tell if he's more interested in his unconscious young fan or said fan's attractive sister. When Franny isn't by Henry's bedside talking to him about his favorite things and places, she hangs out with her mother (Mary Steenburgen) and Forester, who plans to leave for England in a few days. Before film's end, one of these storylines will reach resolution, while the other will not. Produced by Jonathan Demme, Song One is a small film that while often laudable also still feels fairly inconsequential. A strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)
Song One
Cinedigm, 86 min., PG-13, DVD: $14.95, Blu-ray: $19.98, Mar. 24 Volume 30, Issue 3
Song One
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