12 October 2010. Before there was a television musical series Glee (2009) and two years after the blockbuster of Moulin Rouge (2001) that made the musical genre comeback and a year after that the Oscar Best Picture Chicago came out, the obscure English movie I'll Be There was released directed and written by Craig Ferguson who would become a major television network late-night talk show host on CBS. This family, drama, musical was a unique fusion of genres that took itself seriously. Mr. Ferguson's performance in contrast to his talk show host persona was not in evidence two years earlier and is a testament to his acting ability to portray a different character without the character types that often slip into an actor's roles on screen.
What makes this movie stand out is its integrity and commitment to developing its characters and storyline with more passion and depth, creating a substantive and compelling movie that sustains a level of interpersonal complexity and tension that is usually reserved for quality movies and avoided by low-budget, knock offs. While perhaps the storyline isn't very original, the script does an amazing job of fleshing out both the drama as well as the humor/comedy that never reaches the slapstick, dumb-downed comedy of mindless stand up comedy. The musical renditions are powerful and the beginning split between two musical scenes is an amazing and captivating opening and quickly captures the audiences attention with emotion.
If one attends to this movie carefully, Ferguson has crafted this movie with excellent editing, unique use of split screen and the interweaving of music with the storyline. The cinematography is actually some of the most well designed and the camera work nicely composed. It's really an amazing piece of work that balances wit, drama, and family entertainment.
In a number of ways, this is a family version of Moulin Rouge for young adults and it contains relevant themes for today's contemporary society that both can resonate for juveniles and parents alike.
What makes this movie stand out is its integrity and commitment to developing its characters and storyline with more passion and depth, creating a substantive and compelling movie that sustains a level of interpersonal complexity and tension that is usually reserved for quality movies and avoided by low-budget, knock offs. While perhaps the storyline isn't very original, the script does an amazing job of fleshing out both the drama as well as the humor/comedy that never reaches the slapstick, dumb-downed comedy of mindless stand up comedy. The musical renditions are powerful and the beginning split between two musical scenes is an amazing and captivating opening and quickly captures the audiences attention with emotion.
If one attends to this movie carefully, Ferguson has crafted this movie with excellent editing, unique use of split screen and the interweaving of music with the storyline. The cinematography is actually some of the most well designed and the camera work nicely composed. It's really an amazing piece of work that balances wit, drama, and family entertainment.
In a number of ways, this is a family version of Moulin Rouge for young adults and it contains relevant themes for today's contemporary society that both can resonate for juveniles and parents alike.