The High Note (2020)

The High Note is the most interesting as it explores the way the music industry deals with aging talent and new talent, it's refusal to exploit lengthy careers and the struggle to even get a career started. There is a fascinating book ending feel to it which grabs you. It is less interesting when it plays its sort of cliched romance and family subplot. But in the end it comes together to be mostly entertaining, mostly due to director Ganatra's stylish approach which makes it just so watchable.

On the romance, sure a lot about The High Note's romantic plot, from its meet cute, through it's big reveal, is crowd pleasing, it also feels rather predictable and a little average. Harrison Jr., a young actor I have been watching for a few years now, has oodles of charisma and he makes it enjoyable but the romance still has a very common feeling. His presence makes it rise above the material. The script gives him and Johnson good banter and they pull it off. I kept enjoying their interactions despite them not having a lot of connection.

But the film still remains the most interesting in its musical performance. Both Ross and Harrison Jr. have star power that is magnetic and the film takes full advantage of that. Their songs immediately catch you. It's quality pop, the kind that gets in your head. And the singers are up for it.

So despite much of the film feeling rather been there done that, The High Note doesn't even feel like it drags, even if it is a bit forgettable.

The High Note
Starring: Tracee Ellis Ross, Dakota Johnson, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ice Cube, Zoe Chao, June Diane Raphael, Bill Pullman, Eddie Izzard, Melanie Griffith
Director: Nisha Ganatra
Writer: Flora Greeson