Raise Your Voice
Raise Your Voice follows the journey of Terri Fletcher (Hilary Duff), a young music student who dreams of attending a prestigious music program in Los Angeles. Despite her father's (David Keith) disapproval, Terri secretly attends the program with the help of her mother (Rita Wilson) and artistic Aunt Nina (Rebecca De Mornay). At the camp, Terri encounters snobby classmates but finds support and encouragement from a fellow student, Jay (Oliver James). As Terri navigates personal and musical challenges, she learns valuable lessons about following her dreams and staying true to herself.
Sean McNamara
Hilary Duff, Oliver James, David Keith, Dana Davis, Rebecca De Mornay, John Corbett
Review
It’s the early 2000s and Hilary Duff is cashing in on her Lizzie McGuire popularity by starring in as many predictable teen movies as possible. Raise Your Voice attempts to blend Duff's budding music career with her acting chops, but sadly, it's a cacophony of unoriginality and annoyance.
Duff plays Terri Fletcher, a young music student with dreams as big as her smile, which she showcases in almost every scene. The plot is as predictable as a metronome, with Terri overcoming personal tragedy to attend a music camp in LA against her dad's wishes, who apparently thinks LA is the equivalent of a musical war zone.
The camp is populated with snooty, initially unlikable teens who, predictably, become more likeable as the story progresses. Terri's roommate Denise, played by Dana Davis, is particularly charming with her scholarship ambitions and disdain for Terri's retro Brady Bunch vibe. Then there's Jay (Oliver James), the charming British heartthrob who's as shallow as a kiddie pool. The only other memorable character is the inspiring music teacher, played by John Corbett, who injects a bit of life into the film.
The movie's climax hinges on Terri's deception of her dad, leading to a moment where dad walks in just in time for her big solo, cue the heartfelt nod of parental approval. It's a scene so formulaic you could set your watch to it.
This film relies on you accepting that Hilary Duff could be a musical prodigy despite barely being able to carry a note. Of course, she gets by on her usual cuteness as she gives her standard Lizzie McGuire-esque performance which will be comforting to her fans, who will no doubt enjoy this flick. Others will likely find this movie too sappy and unbelievable to recommend.
Final Thoughts
Raise Your Voice is an early 2000s musical misfire that seems to have missed a beat. It is like a bad cover of a familiar tune, lacking originality, depth, and any real sense of musicality. Hilary Duff fans will no doubt enjoy this movie but others will be questioning both her acting and vocal range. It's a reminder that not every actor can seamlessly transition into a pop star, especially when their range seems limited to smiling and not much else.
