Fine performances all around, no doubt, but… could be the numerous biographies of singers and the likes, this was tedious and boring after the first half.

Nothing wrong with the way the movie was delivered and it had some nice cinematography with beautiful music. The way this story was told is almost the same as how Beyond The Sea was, with the protagonist looking at someone playing himself as if in a play; and never clear to the audience where the line between dream and reality was drawn.

But not even the many special appearances by famous singers could save this movie. And I thought some of the singers like Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow actually spoilt the songs as their vocals just do not fit these standards. Morissette actually looked awkward dancing on stage.

However, Kevin Kline’s impressive singing while filming has brought life into this otherwise dull movie. It’s always different when someone lip-synchs. The outcome is always very apparent as can be seen with the other professional singers appearing in this movie who lip-synch while filming.

It was good to see Ahsley Judd and Kevin Kline in the forefront once again. Without them, this movie is nothing. And the two lead characters have a special bond which, to certain extent, is admirable. And that kept them together throughout everything, even through Cole Porter’s alternate life with homosexuality. So none of those messy rock star breakups here, which was nice.

But as I’ve said, the second half was really boring as nothing ‘big’ ever happened. No hook. Nothing. I was falling asleep.

Rating: 4 / 10

(all images from imdb.com)