I'LL BE THERE

US, 2002, 105 minutes, Colour.
Charlotte Church, Craig Ferguson, Gemma Redgrave, Rolf Brown, Ian Mc Niece, Imelda Staunton, Joss Acland, Phyllida Law.
Directed by Craig Ferguson.

In the history of the movies, there have always been star vehicles introducing the popular singer of the time. In 2003 UK, it is Charlotte Church. Charlotte Church was a singing sensation at the age of thirteen, singing for Pope, Queen and royalty, Presidents and a world-wide public.

This film has been written and directed by its star, Scot Craig Ferguson, who found fame in The Drew Carey Show. He has also appeared in The Big Tease and Saving Grace. A strong British cast of character actors fills out the supporting role with Jemma Redgrave as mother, Joss Ackland as a 70 year old relic of the rock'nroll era who can still stir up and entertain the oldies.

The plot is as old as the hills (with a Billy Elliot finale). That means we know what is going to happen but the enjoyment is in how we get there. Charlotte is Olivia, a very nice sixteen year old young lady who lives in Cardiff (Church's home city). Her mum is a flourishing hairdresser, prim and reserved. Craig Ferguson is an alcoholic burnt out star who has to have psychiatric treatment and is helped to AA by an Australian colleague. But mum has a secret from her wilder days and Olivia is the result. Circumstances change and it is time for mum to tell Olivia the truth about her father, the rock star.

It is a matter of mum melting, or cooling it (whichever applies), dad drying out and letting his nicer side be seen,
grandpa offering his advice and Olivia, who has her secret as well - she has been taking singing lessons - to follow her dream of becoming a singer.

This is as traditional and popular film-making as you can get. It is full of hope that people can admit their mistakes and change. Good things can happen. (Critics groan at this niceness but multiplex audiences will have a nice time.)
Charlotte Church gets to sing a Welsh song, a modern ballad, 'Reach out... I'll be there' and Gershwin's Summertime. Her image is intact and enhanced.

1. A traditional feelgood story? The world of popular song? The story of the older generation versus the story of the younger generation? The wholesome atmosphere around Charlotte Church?

2. The Cardiff settings, Wales and its atmosphere, the city, the houses and pubs, the hairdressers? The contrast with the wealthy mansions?

3. The film as a Charlotte Church vehicle, her screen presence, singing voice, songs, character?

4. The single mother story, the hairdresser, her being very proper, her antagonism towards her vagabond grandad, financial situation? The news about Paul, her deciding to tell Olivia about her father? Her severity? The visit to the hospital? Her antagonism towards Paul, her angers? The various visits and clashes? At work, her relationship with her daughter, the strong bonds? Tested because of the revelation about Paul? Her going to the audition? The happy reconciliation?

5. Olivia and her age, experience, hearing her sing in church, a nice personality, the bonds with her mother? School, ordinary life, her pink bike? The impact of the truth, her wondering about her father? The visits, talking to Paul, going to see him, going to the house, the growing friendship and discussions? Shared experiences? Her singing, the making of the disc? The agent and his pursuing her? Her decision to go to London, going to the audition, her success?

6. Paul, the initial drinking, on the bike, driving through the window? Hospitalisation? The psychologist and her antagonism towards him? Rebecca and Olivia visiting, his not knowing he had a daughter? His going back home, the destruction? Digger arriving, their past friendship at work, the discussions about drinking, the AA meetings? The effect on him, watching Olivia, the visits, going to the pub - and his singing with Grandad? The comeback? The response of the younger generation? His personal angers, his making the disc for Olivia? His agent and the taking of the disc? His going to the audition?

7. Grandad, old, the vagabond, a rock 'n roller from the past? His singing ability? Going to visit Rebecca, her antagonism towards him? His attempts at talking reason? His memories of Paul in the past? His own life, his friends, the drinking, the playing? The various gigs and the public response? Dealing with his daughter, the truth? Playing with Paul, the gigs, the old people? An engaging character and eccentric?

8. Paul, the discussions with Digger, Digger and his relationship with Nessie? The AA meetings? The obnoxious agent, the disc, his wheeler-dealing? Hearing of Paul's success and trying to wheedle his way back?

9. The psychologist, her patience? Paul among all the patients, the songs, the music, his bringing them alive?

10. Olivia's audition, the memories of the audition in Billy Elliot? Her teacher and her support? The range of songs sung by Charlotte Church?

11. The happy ending with everyone dancing together? The value of this kind of feelgood film?