Synopsis
Estranged from her family, Franny returns home when an accident leaves her brother comatose. Retracing his life as an aspiring musician, she tracks down his favorite musician, James Forester. Against the backdrop of Brooklyn’s music scene, Franny and James develop an unexpected relationship and face the realities of their lives.
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Cast
- Anne HathawayFranny Ellis
- Johnny FlynnJames Forester
- Mary SteenburgenKaren Ellis
- Ben RosenfieldHenry Ellis
- Lola KirkeRema
- Gideon GlickEverett
- Al ThompsonAndy
- Jessamine KelleyTess
- Cass DillonPaul
- Sarah SteeleiPod Autograph Girl
Recommendations
- 75
New York Post
It’s not quite “Once,” but Song One, featuring original music by Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice, captures a similar, unselfconscious beauty in the way music can make sense of big, ungainly emotions — as James puts it, “for three to five whole minutes.” - 70
Variety
Perhaps the cleverest thing about Barker-Froyland’s delicately contrived debut is how uncontrived she manages to make it seem. - 63
Slant Magazine
This snapshot of catharsis follows a familiar trajectory, but Kate Barker-Froyland refreshingly resists elevating her characters' relationship to the level of grandiose. - 58
IndieWire
Barker-Froyland's intention was clearly to make Song One all about music and how it can bring people together. But the result is all about Anne. - 58
The Playlist
Song One is well intentioned, well-shot and has its musical heart in the right place, but it often feels incredibly familiar, and the more contrived, credulity-straining moments don’t help. - 50
The Hollywood Reporter
The delicate drama is sweet and sincere but a tad thin to resonate. - 50
Movie Nation
The magical thing that Hathaway accomplishes here is in getting this film made and this look at the New York music scene out there. - 50
Village Voice
Hathaway's performance is brave, strong, wistful, and misty, and she's especially affecting when being wooed, gently, by Flynn, playing an indie-folkstar.
