Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Renée Zellweger | ... | Jane | |
Forest Whitaker | ... | Joey | |
Madeline Zima | ... | Billie | |
Nick Nolte | ... | Caldwell | |
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Chandler Frantz | ... | Devon |
Elias Koteas | ... | Dean | |
Annie Parisse | ... | Nora | |
Julia Lashae | ... | Suzie | |
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Bill Ladd | ... | Ben |
Tim Parati | ... | Chris | |
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Del Pentecost | ... | Dale |
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Don Sparks | ... | Iceman Jim |
Joe Forbrich | ... | Allan | |
John Henry Cox | ... | Boss | |
Richmond Hoxie | ... | Jeff Noffray |
Jane (Renée Zellweger) is a woman who is hiding from life after an accident leaves her wheelchair-bound. Joey (Forest Whitaker) is her friend who speaks to ghosts and angels no one else can see or hear. When he reads in the newspaper that his favorite author will be speaking in New Orleans, Louisiana, he convinces Jane to go with him. Along the way, they meet up with Billie (Madeline Zima), a young woman in search of her missing husband. The travellers have many obstacles in their path. They meet many different "angels" and "devils" along the way. Will they make it in time for the most important gig of Jane's life? Written by joules
A road trip drama where lost souls are looking for their lost dreams, or as the title suggests, their own love song. The filmmakers used characters who suffer from opposite inflictions to increase the sense of conflict, sympathy, and drama. Jane (Renée Zellweger) is in a wheelchair and Joey (Forest Whitaker) is schizophrenic. Do you feel sorry for them? You should.
It's an awfully long journey to somewhere that we, the characters, nor the filmmakers quite know where it is, and all we have to get us there is two people who learn to become more than they are by each using their own strengths. Sound a little prosaic? Sadly, it is.
Perhaps one of the most frustrating aspects is that "My Own Love Song" is not a truly independent film by new filmmakers trying desperately to break into the industry, nor is it a Hollywood film where they threw in cliché ideas in a desperate attempt to make a dollar. It is by award-winning filmmakers who had access to great actors and original songs by Bob Dylan. Frustrating because it can't be as easily dismissed as one would assume.
The plot summary, the title, the poster and DVD cover art all suggest that it will be boring. I can't fault the marketers, it is boring. And that is its ultimate problem. Zellweger is perfect in the role, the messages are all quite respectful, and the idea that this journey is about dreams not about reality could have made it substantial. But "My Own Love Song" doesn't go anywhere very interesting and it takes too long to get there.