Stepping back into the limelight, Christopher Walken gives one of his best performances in quite a while in One More Time now on DVD. He works his character well and even belts out a few tunes. But, the stellar actor’s performance cannot hold the audience alone. The losing grace comes from uneven direction and a hackneyed script lowering the entertainment value a couple of grades. If you’re a Walken fan however, this one’s for you.
Not being able to get her life together Jude (Amber Heard) heads home to her father’s mansion in the Hamptons for a chance to gather the remains and pull up her boot straps. Her father, a famous singer in his waning years who she calls Paul (Christopher Walken), has been surrounded by family including his other daughter Corinne (Kelli Garner), her husband Tim (Hamish Linklater) and his fourth wife Lucille (Ann Magnuson).
Being the youngest, Jude has always been Paul’s favorite and she needs help from him right now as her singing/songwriting career has not taken off. But, there’s a lot to face at home with a sister who married her boyfriend she has not gotten over and a stepmother who she calls Lucifer. When Paul announces that he has written a new song and lyrics, Jude becomes uneasy with the possibility that he’s setting himself up for a fall.
Writer and director Robert Edwards leads his cast into a story that’s been frequently batted around over the years and unless there’s outstanding performances all around, could mean the death rattle. And it happens here. Although he does get a touching performance out of Walken, the other cast members become nothing but paintings on the wall of his mansion set.
Playing daddy’s little girl who’s trying to fall in his footsteps, Amber Heard blows a chance at a good supporting role. She’s an annoying whiner and a creep who still sleeps around with married men, makes a pass at her sister’s husband and can’t sing a decent note of music. If that’s what writer Edwards had in mind however, she nails it. But it doesn’t work here.
Walken turns his character into a big surprise. Paul’s a fading crooner who has a huge ego and rightly so. Having sung with the best and entertained as a star on main stages he’s got rights to brag. After all the years he’s still known well enough and isn’t afraid to open for a rock band concert. Finally; I really enjoyed his singing and the song he sings in the film. It took me a good while to get it out of my head.
One More Time has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains drug use, language, and sexuality. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have some scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An average film that could have been a grade or two higher. (C+)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Christopher Walken, Amber Heard, Kelli Garner, Hamish Linklater, Ann Magnuson and Oliver Platt
Written and Directed by: Robert Edwards
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains language, drug use, sexuality
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Music
Running Time: 1 hr. 38 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date: April 8, 2016 (Starz Digital)
Video Release Date: June 7, 2016
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.48:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spansh
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
