Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

Downtown Express

  • 20112011
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
32
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
226,382
1,175
Downtown Express (2011)
A young Russian violinist on a scholarship to Juilliard begins to lead a double life after meeting a singer of a band who performs on the streets and in the subways of New York City.
Play trailer1:56
1 Video
1 Photo
DramaMusicRomance
Sasha is a young Russian violinist on a scholarship to Juilliard, living with his affectionate but overbearing father, a cellist determined to manage his son's career. While Sasha prepares f... Read allSasha is a young Russian violinist on a scholarship to Juilliard, living with his affectionate but overbearing father, a cellist determined to manage his son's career. While Sasha prepares for a critical recital that will launch him on a path to a glittering future, he is increas... Read allSasha is a young Russian violinist on a scholarship to Juilliard, living with his affectionate but overbearing father, a cellist determined to manage his son's career. While Sasha prepares for a critical recital that will launch him on a path to a glittering future, he is increasingly drawn to the rhythms he hears on the streets of New York. When he meets Ramona, a bo... Read all
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
32
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
226,382
1,175
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • David Grubin
    • Writers
      • Kathleen Cahill(story)
      • David Grubin(story)
    • Stars
      • Philippe Quint
      • Nellie McKay
      • Michael Cumpsty
    Top credits
    • Director
      • David Grubin
    • Writers
      • Kathleen Cahill(story)
      • David Grubin(story)
    • Stars
      • Philippe Quint
      • Nellie McKay
      • Michael Cumpsty
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
    • 7Critic reviews
    • 53Metascore

    Videos1

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 1:56
    U.S. Version

    Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Philippe Quint
    • Sasha
    Nellie McKay
    Nellie McKay
    • Ramona
    Michael Cumpsty
    Michael Cumpsty
    • Vadim
    Carolyn McCormick
    Carolyn McCormick
    • Marie
    Ashley Springer
    Ashley Springer
    • Arkady
    Declan Bennett
    • Carter
    Jade Synstelien
    • Rabbit
    Chris Eddleton
    • Anthony
    David Brown
    David Brown
    • Master of Ceremonies
    Elizabeth Abate
    • Judge
    Jerry Barnard
    • Music Underground Judge
    Norris Bennett
    • Musician in The Ebony Hillbillies
    Mitu Bushioc
    • Street Musician Accordion Player
    John Carlton
    • Music Underground Judge
    Victoria Chamberlin
    • Voice in the Max Fish Crowd
    Elaine Chambers
    • Music Underground Judge
    Sydney Chong
    • Child Violinist
    Jakub Ciupinski
    • Street Musician Theremin Player
    • Director
      • David Grubin
    • Writers
      • Kathleen Cahill(story)
      • David Grubin(story)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    P.S. I Love You
    7.0
    P.S. I Love You

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Soundtracks
      Ain't No Train
      Performed by Downtown Express (feat. Nellie McKay, Philippe Quint & Michael Bacon)

    User reviews1

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    He's old enough to make his choice
    Downtown Express (2011) was co-written and directed by David Grubin. The plot, although rich in details, really boils down to a decision. Philippe Quint plays Sasha, a Russian immigrant who is a superb violinist. Sasha has everything going for him--he's young, he's handsome, he has enormous talent, he has a scholarship to Juilliard, and he's being guided by his teacher and accompanist, Marie (Carolyn McCormick). Sasha and Marie are practicing for his major recital, which is almost certain to lead to professional success.

    Enter Ramona, played by Nellie McKay. Ramona is living a marginal life, and scrounging food from dumpsters. She's a rock musician, but her band hasn't quite come together. Surprise! Sasha falls in love with her. Surprise! Sasha plays with her band and they are suddenly much, much better.

    So, Sasha now has to choose. Will he stay at Julliard, become a great classical musician, and bring pleasure to people who sit in seats at Carnegie Hall to hear him? That choice apparently means losing Ramona. Or . . . will Sasha give up his classical career so he can join Ramona's band, join Ramona in bed, and bring pleasure to people who stand in front of the stage waving their arms?

    A third possibility--joining Ramona in bed, but not joining the band, is apparently not an option. It's a package deal--no band, no girl.

    The film had some good shots of the NYC subways and areas of Brighton and Manhattan where most tourists don't go. Sasha, his father Vadim (played by Michael Compsty), and Marie are all portrayed by excellent actors. Nellie McKay, who is described as "a critically acclaimed recording artist/songwriter," can't act. Every time she spoke, the screen appeared to freeze. We were in a theater, so I couldn't even use fast-forward. (That might be an advantage to seeing the movie on DVD).

    We saw this film at Rochester's Dryden Theatre, as part of the enjoyable Rochester Jewish Film Festival. We watched 18 films at the RJFF. One of them had to rank 18th. This is the one.
    helpful•3
    0
    • Red-125
    • Aug 2, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 22, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,010
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,474
      • Apr 22, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,010
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Downtown Express (2011)
    Top Gap
    What is the English language plot outline for Downtown Express (2011)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View image
    Photos
    These Stars Are on the Rise
    See the gallery
    View list
    List
    Fall TV Guide: The Best Shows Coming This Year
    See the full list
    View image
    Photos
    Hollywood Romances: Our Favorite Couples
    See the gallery
    Back to top

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more access
    Sign in for more access
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.