The Von Trapp Family: A Life of Music

Imagine The Sound of Music without Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, and the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein songs, in a film that is more Hallmark Channel than Broadway. Based on Agathe von Trapp's 2010 memoir, Memories Before and After The Sound of Music, director Ben Verbong's adaptation focuses not on Maria but on Agathe (Eliza Bennett), the eldest daughter of the von Trapps (named Liesl in the musical version), who struggles with her place in the family following the death of her mother. Agathe is resentful when new nanny Maria (Yvonne Catterfeld) usurps her own role as family caregiver. How do you solve a problem like Maria? In Agathe's case, you act like a real pill. Agathe's story—the least interesting aspect of the von Trapp saga—is told in flashback to her similarly resentful runaway niece by the elderly Agathe (Rosemary Harris), although you would think that her niece must have seen The Sound of Music and would presumably know the family story. One can hardly wait to get to the end credits to say so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye. Optional, at best. (D. Liebenson)