Our Song (film)

Last updated

Our Song
Our Song (2000 film).jpg
Directed by Jim McKay
Written byJim McKay
Produced by
  • Jim McKay
  • Paul Mezey
  • Diana E. Williams
Starring
Cinematography Jim Denault
Edited byAlex Hall
Production
company
C-Hundred Film Corporation
Distributed by IFC Films
Release dates
  • January 21, 2000 (2000-01-21)
(Sundance)
  • May 23, 2001 (2001-05-23)
(United States)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$100,000
(estimated) [1]
Box office$254,199 (US) [2]

Our Song is a 2000 American coming of age drama film written and directed by Jim McKay. It follows three high school-aged girls and best friends over one pivotal summer in Brooklyn. Our Song stars Kerry Washington, Melissa Martinez, and Anna Simpson in their film debuts, respectively.

Contents

The film features the Jackie Robinson Steppers, a real-life community marching band. [3] Our Song received critical acclaim for its realism and depiction of female adolescence.

Plot

During one summer in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, three high school girls and best friends navigate changing realities and new feelings. Lanisha, Maria, and Joycelyn each have different family situations, romantic interests, moral codes and aspirations, but are close confidantes. The girls live in the same housing project and are all dedicated members of the Jackie Robinson Steppers, a community marching band that holds daily rehearsals in a local parking lot. The girls want to master the instruments they play in order to impress their conductor.

Aspiring singer Joycelyn works in a makeup boutique, while both Maria and Lanisha work at a bakery. Sometimes they talk about what they'll do after high school, but most of their conversations are about the immediate issues that face them daily. Foremost among them is the closing of the girls' high school due to an asbestos contamination, and the resulting challenge of finding a new school with a good reputation and planning the daily commute. These decisions become the catalyst for the girls setting out on increasingly divergent paths.

Maria learns she is pregnant by her boyfriend and has to make a decision about whether to keep the baby. Lanisha has faced a teen pregnancy herself before but chose to have an abortion. Maria eventually drifts towards the idea of having her baby.

Cast

Production

Director Jim McKay said the idea for the film "started out as an idea for a film about friendship. It was about kids outside of the mainstream of American society." [4] McKay said he was dissuaded from making another female-driven film like his previous effort Girls Town . McKay said, "There were people who told me: ‘Don’t make another movie about young women. It’s a bad business move. You need to do something different.’ I’m really glad I didn’t listen to them. This is the story I had to tell. This is what I wanted to do.” [4]

The Jackie Robinson Steppers were not in the original script, but McKay wrote them in after he saw them perform and realized "what being in a band meant to the kids in that neighborhood." [5] The film's lead actresses had a month of rehearsals prior to the start of filming, in addition to two months of practicing with the marching band. [5] Filming took place over twenty days in July 1999. [3]

Reception

Our Song has a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 53 reviews; the average rating is 7.3/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "Graced with such a realistic feel that it resembles a documentary, Our Song is a sensitive portrayal of three teenage girls." [6] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 77 out of 100, based on 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [7]

Roger Ebert said that the film is "original and perceptive" and it does not force its characters into a tightly plotted story. [8] Dennis Harvey of Variety called it a "finely observed, modestly scaled look at the current realities of low-income female adolescence". [9]

A.O. Scott of The New York Times also praised the film, writing it "is so unlike most Hollywood coming-of-age stories as to seem downright revolutionary." [10] Scott added, "'Our Song' steers clear of the condescension and sentimentality that color most contemporary cinematic portrayals of female adolescence. Even more remarkable, it avoids the sensationalism and ideological point-scoring that dominate most discussions of race, urban poverty and teenage pregnancy." [10]

TV Guide wrote, "this coming-of-age slice of life is sometimes a bit too languid, and the band sequences, while kickin', don't mesh seamlessly with either plot or theme...Yet the movie sticks with you as few do: It's rewardingly authentic and emotionally real." [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>Coming to America</i> 1988 film directed by John Landis

Coming to America is a 1988 American romantic comedy film directed by John Landis and based on a story originally created by Eddie Murphy, who also stars in the lead role. The film also co-stars Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, Shari Headley, and John Amos. The film was released in the United States on June 29, 1988. Eddie Murphy plays Akeem Joffer, the crown prince of the fictional African nation of Zamunda, who travels to the United States in the hopes of finding a woman he can marry and will love him for who he is, not for his status or for having been trained to please him.

<i>Earth Girls Are Easy</i> 1988 film by Julien Temple

Earth Girls Are Easy is a 1988 American science fiction musical romantic comedy film that was produced by Tony Garnett, Duncan Henderson, and Terrence E. McNally and was directed by Julien Temple. The film stars Geena Davis, Julie Brown, Charles Rocket, Jeff Goldblum, Damon Wayans, and Jim Carrey. The plot is based on the song "Earth Girls Are Easy" from Brown's 1984 EP Goddess in Progress.

<i>American Wedding</i> 2003 American comedy film directed by Jesse Dylan

American Wedding is a 2003 American sex comedy film written by Adam Herz and directed by Jesse Dylan. It is the sequel to American Pie (1999) and American Pie 2 (2001), and the third of the American Pie franchise. The franchise was later expanded into a series of direct-to-DVD standalone spin-offs, under the umbrella title American Pie Presents, that began with the release of Band Camp (2005), while a direct sequel, American Reunion, was released in 2012.

<i>Jackie Brown</i> 1997 film directed by Quentin Tarantino

Jackie Brown is a 1997 American crime film written for the screen and directed by Quentin Tarantino, based on the 1992 novel Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard. It stars Pam Grier as Jackie Brown, a flight attendant who is caught smuggling money. Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, and Robert De Niro appear in supporting roles.

<i>Blue in the Face</i> 1995 film by Paul Auster, Wayne Wang

Blue in the Face is a 1995 American comedy film directed by Wayne Wang and Paul Auster. It stars Harvey Keitel leading an ensemble cast, including Giancarlo Esposito, Roseanne Barr, Michael J. Fox, Lily Tomlin, Victor Argo, Mira Sorvino, Lou Reed, Keith David, Jim Jarmusch, Jared Harris, RuPaul, and Madonna.

<i>Staying Alive</i> (1983 film) 1983 film by Sylvester Stallone

Staying Alive is a 1983 American dance musical film and the sequel to Saturday Night Fever (1977). Directed by Sylvester Stallone, who also co-produced and co-wrote the film with original Fever producer and writer, Robert Stigwood and Norman Wexler respectively, the film stars John Travolta, reprising his role as Tony Manero, with Cynthia Rhodes, Finola Hughes, Joyce Hyser, Julie Bovasso, and dancers Viktor Manoel and Kevyn Morrow.

<i>Never Been Kissed</i> 1999 film by Raja Gosnell

Never Been Kissed is a 1999 American romantic comedy film directed by Raja Gosnell and starring Drew Barrymore, Jessica Alba, David Arquette, Michael Vartan, Leelee Sobieski, Jeremy Jordan, Molly Shannon, Garry Marshall, John C. Reilly and James Franco in his film debut.

<i>All Over Me</i> (film) 1997 film by Alex Sichel

All Over Me is a 1997 American teen drama film directed by Alex Sichel and written by her sister, Sylvia Sichel. Alex Sichel received a grant from the Princess Grace Foundation to make a film about the riot grrrl music scene and then asked her sister to collaborate with her.

<i>Shag</i> (film) 1989 American comedy film

Shag is a 1989 American comedy film starring Bridget Fonda, Phoebe Cates, Annabeth Gish, Page Hannah, Jeff Yagher, and Scott Coffey. Directed by Zelda Barron, the film features Carolina shag dancing and was produced in coöperation with the South Carolina Film Commission. The soundtrack album was on Sire/Warner Bros. Records.

The Weavers: Wasn't That a Time! is a 1982 documentary film by Jim Brown.

<i>Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.</i> 1992 film by Leslie Harris

Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. is a 1992 American drama film written, produced, and directed by Leslie Harris. The film follows Chantel, a Black teenager living in the New York City projects. The film addresses a variety of contemporary social and political issues including teenage pregnancy, abortion, racism, poverty, and HIV/AIDS. Just Another Girl on the I.R.T is Harris' first and only feature film to date. The film premiered at the 1992 Toronto International Film Festival and later screened at the 1993 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Special Jury Prize. Ariyan A. Johnson earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress.

<i>Mi Vida Loca</i> 1994 film directed by Allison Anders

Mi Vida Loca is a 1993 American coming-of-age drama film directed and written by Allison Anders. It centers on the plight of cholas growing up in the Echo Park section of Los Angeles, who face the struggles of friendship, romantic entanglements, motherhood, and gang membership. The story follows interlocking stories of several female gang members while centering on the friendship between two friends who become involved with the same man.

<i>Tempest</i> (1982 film) 1982 film by Paul Mazursky

Tempest is a 1982 American adventure comedy-drama romance film directed by Paul Mazursky. It is a loosely based, modern-day adaptation of the William Shakespeare play The Tempest. The picture features John Cassavetes, Gena Rowlands, Susan Sarandon, Raúl Juliá and Molly Ringwald in her feature film debut.

Soul of the Game is a 1996 television film about Negro league baseball.

<i>Girls Town</i> (1996 film) 1996 American film

Girls Town is the 1996 feature film directing debut by Jim McKay. It stars Lili Taylor, Bruklin Harris, Anna Grace, and Aunjanue Ellis in her film debut. The plot follows a group of girl friends and their coming-of-age during their senior year of high school in urban America. The screenplay for the film was mostly developed through improvisations among the four lead actresses.

<i>Everyday People</i> (film) 2004 American TV series or program

Everyday People is a 2004 American drama television film written and directed by Jim McKay. The storyline revolves around the lives of the employees working at a restaurant in Brooklyn, New York City, which is to be closed down due to economic shortfall. The film first screened at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and later premiered on HBO on June 26, 2004.

<i>Win Win</i> (film) 2011 American film

Win Win is a 2011 American sports comedy-drama film written and directed by Tom McCarthy and starring Paul Giamatti, Alex Shaffer, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Burt Young and Melanie Lynskey.

<i>It Felt Like Love</i> 2013 film by Eliza Hittman

It Felt Like Love is a 2013 independent drama film, the first feature film directed by Eliza Hittman. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was later acquired by Variance Films, receiving a limited theatrical release in March 2014. The film follows the coming-of-age of teenager Lila as she riskily courts the attentions of an older boy.

<i>Before You Know It</i> (2019 film) 2019 American drama film

Before You Know It is a 2019 American comedy film directed by Hannah Pearl Utt. It was co-written by, and stars, Utt and Jen Tullock. Judith Light, Mike Colter, Mandy Patinkin, and Alec Baldwin appear in supporting roles. It was screened in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

References

  1. ↑ Taubin, Amy (June 26, 2018). "Interview: Jim McKay". Film Comment . Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Our Song (2001)". The Numbers . Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Our Song". mirrorimage.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Mask, Mia (April 5, 2000). "ND/NF INTERVIEW: Girls 'Hood; Realist Jim McKay Returns with "Our Song"". IndieWire . Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Wood, Jennifer M. (February 3, 2007). "Coming of Age with Jim McKay". MovieMaker Magazine . Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Our Song (2001)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media. Archived from the original on March 2, 2007. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Our Song Reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  8. ↑ Ebert, Roger (July 6, 1991). "Our Song". RogerEbert.com. Ebert Digital LLC. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  9. ↑ Harvey, Dennis (February 6, 2000). "Review: 'Our Song'". Variety . Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Scott, A.O. (April 5, 2000). "'Our Song': In a Drama of Brooklyn, Real Life Is a Co-Star". The New York Times . Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Our Song". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.