ThiefHott
Too much of everything
Jeanskynebu
the audience applauded
XoWizIama
Excellent adaptation.
Ava-Grace Willis
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
steeeeephanie
Normally I hate love stories. I feel like everything about love has already been said and nowadays it's just the same stories over and over, characters filled in with the same qualities, flat and bland actors who evoke no empathy or compassion.Having these views on all romance stories, "Anything But Love" completely surprised me. The story was so real, yet not cliché or boring. It's an old and common story (A girl is faced with a decision between love or money -- a plot that I've run across many times in musicals) but it brings a new and realistic light to the idea. Billie Golden (Isabel Rose) plays an aspiring middle-aged cabaret singer with little experience and few places to go, yet -- like so many other aspiring artists -- is very very talented. In the beginning of the film, she gets fired from her regular gig (in fact, the only gig she's ever had) that her family has been doing for generations.Her best friend, Marcy (Ilana Levine), suggests that she audition for a new gig. However, when she shows up, the accompanist, Elliot Shepherd (Andrew McCarthy), makes mistakes that cause her to look amateurish and unprepared. Needless to say, she didn't get the job. Afterwards, while drowning her miseries, she runs into Greg Ellenbogen (Cameron Bancroft), the most popular guy at her old highschool, now an impressive business man. The two begin to date, despite their clashing career goals.Billie gets a chance to show one of her other talents to her boss -- playing the piano -- he re-offers her the job, provided that she be able to accompany herself. She begins her quest to find a piano teacher and, after a few humorous attempts, finds one who is very promising -- ironically the same guy who screwed up her audition. Despite their differences, she becomes a successful pianist, and the two start to have an amazing amount of chemistry.But while Billie's piano teacher is making her dream seem all the more likely, her boyfriend is constantly discouraging her and trying to manipulate her into marrying him for an obvious business advantage. However, their feelings become impossible to deny after a very heart-moving make-out scene. They make plans to get rid of Greg, make both their dreams come tru, and let their love prosper.The plot takes a dramatic twist when Billie's mother (Alix Korey) declines into alcoholism and tries to kill herself. Greg offers to pay for her rehab, and she is unable to refuse. She then accepts his marriage proposal and starts to reform from an Audrey Hepburn wannabe to a successful business man's wife -- one who should be seen and not heard.The ending is overwhelmingly happy, yet still very realistic and untrite. No one is left unsatisfied; this is a definition of an effective feel-good film. This movie is a breath of fresh air in the midst of today's darker and more depressing films. I highly recommend it.
futuredjchic2000
I am such a fan of musicals and romance movies with a happy ending. This movie appeals directly to the hopeless romantic in me. I won't give away much of the movie, but what I will tell you is that our heroine is beautiful and talented and not in the way that Hollywood demands. She's got a wonderful figure without being anorexic thin. And the men are not soap opera hunks (thank god!). This movie is not just a love story, but also encourages you to follow your dreams. It's a heartwarming story told in a very timeless way. The dream sequences are fun, and the songs classic. If you are looking for a movie for a girl's night, or something to cuddle up to your honey with on a rainy day this is most definitely your movie.
smfisher
If you are a fan of MGM and RKO musicals of the 30s and 40s, you will get the references in this film and enjoy them!!! If not, but like movies that let you escape, you will love this film. It's sweet, clever, poignant, and funny the way a good Cole Porter or Irving Berlin tune is. I saw this movie last night and had a wonderful time. Go see it!!!!! :)
KierZ
Just happened to catch the Canadian Premiere of 'Standard Time' at our local indie film festival. What a surprise! My fiancee and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this wonderfully charming film. The star, Isabel Rose, introduced the film, and it was great to see how much of herself she put into it. A lot of understanding and research of the Musical heyday was required to make this film authentic and Ms. Rose has a look that brings the experience together and makes it work.Unlike a lot of other referential films, the 40's musical aspect of the film does not bog it down with obscure references, instead making the film a treat for the experienced and newbie alike. The narrative is compelling and in contrast to the films of the period in which our protagonist 'dreams', progressive as well, far more so than many of the other romance/comedy/marriage films of today. I must mention that Andrew McCarthy does a wonderful turn as the piano teacher, probably a note better even than New Waterford Girl, showing far better chops and charm than he ever did in 'Pretty in Pink'. Overall, an amazing debut effort that deserves a turn on the distribution merry go round; it just might pick up as much steam as that 'Ethnic Wedding' film.