Year of Release: 2019
Director: Unjoo Moon
Starring: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Evan Peters, Danielle Macdonald, Chris Parnell, Matty Cardarople, Jordan Raskopoulos, Dusty Sorg, Gus Murray, Molly Broadstock, Rita Rani Ahuja
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 3
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Synopsis and Review:
Another film to make its premiere on Netflix, after doing the circuit of Film Festivals in 2019. Much like many of the films that Netflix releases, it's another middling effort, which asks the question if their pursuit of content, isn't toppling their quality assessment of their purchases (and even of what they produce). The film follows the story of the iconic Helen Reddy, introducing us to her when she comes to New York in the late 60s, following her win on a talent show in her native Australia. Helen arrives with her young daughter, no work permit, in order to collect her prize, namely recording a single with Mercury Records. Turns out that goes nowhere, and she finds herself in New York, with little to no money. She decides to stay in NY and pursue her ambition of becoming a professional singer. While in NY she strikes a friendship with author/journalist Lillian Roxon, then a correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald, who becomes a source of strength, but also someone who informs her about the women's liberation movement. She also meets Jeff Wald, then a secretary at the William Morris Agency, but who claims he could get her the exposure she needs to make it big. As they struggle with finances, they eventually decide to move to LA, and upon Helen's persistence and insistence, they finally get a shot at recording a single. As the 70s continue, Helen's fame grows exponentially, particularly when she composes the anthem "I Am Woman". While her professional career soars, parts of her personal life implode, particularly Jeff's further drug abuse and her alienation of close friends, in particular Lillian.
"I Am Woman" is another music biopic, this time around focused on the career of an artist who is very associated with the Women's Liberation movement from the 70s, Helen Reddy. This political movement pops up throughout the film, but almost as a background motif or setting, never something that is clearly understood just how closely or for that matter, how relevant it actually was for Helen. Unlike many biopics, this one doesn't showcase much of the main character's origins, focusing instead on Helen's climb to success, when she arrives in America and the hurdles she faces. It's for the most part, a very shallow film in terms of any dramatic aspects this person's life has ever experienced. Whatever slight friction, or challenges Helen faces, they're quickly brushed aside (even Jeff's drug issues, or their money woes). The film ultimately lacks a stronger script and point of view from the director. It feels like an homage, more so than an actual film with real characters, something that actually documents Helen's ascension, and also her descent from popularity and her choices to move on with her life (or for that matter to understand what she did with her life). Whereas Rupert Goold's "Judy" gave enough insight to the challenges of Judy Garland's last living years, this film tries to capture a much larger canvas, and in the end, feels generic, soporific and almost like a made for TV film. Evan Peters once again plays a perpetually damaged character, with Danielle Macdonald making for the most interesting performance of the group. Forgettable.
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