New Film Review: Finding You

FINDING YOU

Directed by Brian Baugh

Screenplay by Brian Baugh

There are three stories here:

A violinist, Finley (Katherine McNamara), is on a bit of a down slide. She takes a few weeks abroad in Ireland to reset her life. On the trip over she meets Beckett (Jedidiah Goodacre), a famous cocky young actor. 

Cathleen Sweeney (Vanessa Redgrave), lives in a nursing home. Finley, as part of her summer project becomes her companion. There we learn Cathleen has a past that still haunts her to this day.

There is also mystery involving a picture and Finley's brother.

As you can tell there is a lot going on here. 

Positives:

Katherine McNamara is just wonderful. McNamara is a newcomer to me on the big screen and is in almost every scene. She is a joy to watch.

Of course Vanessa Redgrave is great as Cathleen.

There is a couple really good small parts with: 

Patrick Bergin (Where Have you been?) as Seamus

Saoirse-Monica Jackson as Emma Callaghan

Both I wanted to see more of.

So we have some good performances..

How about the script? 

It is a sweet story, like I noted before its a Hallmark film which is not a bad thing. 

However.....

Negatives:

The script:

Again, like noted before, there is a lot going on here with Brian Baugh's script. Old woman looking for redemption. Young girl feeling invisible to her peers. Fiddle player who is the wise mentor. Actor who has issues with dad. Inn owners struggling to run said Inn. Mystery picture from Finley's brother. (This story should have been left on the floor for sure) Then there is Finley trying to get her confidence back and falling in love. All these stories make the film feel choppy, leaving less character development and too many open endings. Then throw in this part of the script....Wait, you cannot be an actor and go to school? Huh? You are a star, put in for the time off for the series in your contract! Just odd.

 

Jedidiah Goodacre who plays Beckett Rush .I cannot tell if he is a bad actor or his character is suppose to be a bad actor. Either way I know for sure he has no chemistry with the wonderful lead McNamara. Often I heard people in the theater laugh at parts  of the film that were not suppose to be funny when he spoke. This is never good. He is the weakest part of this film. 

For all the negatives....I have to be honest...I kind of liked it. In fact I watched it twice in the theaters. It is nice to go see a film that  is sweet and kind of soft and not a "Franchise".

For people who want to take the time to watch this film, it does deliver the love story and humor and sweet ending they want. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars because of that. It is better than average because of the lead and Vanessa Redgrave. 

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.