In her latest work, Falling for Figaro, Macdonald is given her first starring role since Patti Cake$ in the story of Millie, a brilliant young American fund manager living in the UK who leaves her unfulfilling job and long-term boyfriend to chase her lifelong dream of becoming an opera singer in the Scottish Highlands. Yes, some things were predictable but then there was a twist that made it seem more believable. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. The Invitation, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! Please consider supporting Third Coast Reviews arts and culture coverage bymaking a donation. Writer-director Ben Lewin (THE SESSIONS, 2012) co-wrote the script with Allen Palmer (his first feature film) and cast the film perfectly, while also gifting us an inordinate amount of beautiful singing voices, as well as a uniquely picturesque setting in the Scottish Highlands. Will Millie and Max become lovers, or will she reunite with the still-interested boyfriend she left behind? Gary Lewis (Billy Elliot) is a hoot as the kilt-wearing innkeeper/bartender who never shies away from the truth. It is there she meets Max, another of Meghan's students who is also training for the upcoming "Singer of Renown" contest. There is some diversity in terms of body shape and size amongst the characters. IFC Films has acquired the U.S. rights to "Falling For Figaro," a romantic comedy about competitive opera singing that stars Joanna Lumley and Danielle Macdonald. Costume designer: Carole Frasher In her new, light-as-an-aria rom-com, "Falling for Figaro,". Manage Settings Even the fearsome, potty-mouthed Meghan (expertly played by Lumley) can't bring the mood down. Millie's singing was dubbed by Australian-Mauritian opera singer Stacey Alleaume, who has won several prestigious awards in Australia and New Zealand. the Chicago Film Critics Association. She heads to a small town in the Scottish Highlands to take lessons from former professional singer Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop (Joanna Lumley) who agrees to train her for the "Singer of Renown" competition. This young lady drops everything and follows her dream. Advanced warning: I've never read Emily Bront's now-classic gothic novel Wuthering Heights. Best of luck with this. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. The films heroine, Millie (Macdonald, of Patti Cake$ and Dumplin), is an American working at a London finance firm. I enjoyed this movie mostly for the music! It was so nice to be back in Australia for such a long period of time and to be in the outback. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free. Executive producers: Donall McCusker, Kieran Parker, John Wade, Timothy White Characters are generally warmhearted, open-minded, and inspiring, with even the most sharp-tongued revealing a softer side. For general inquiries, or to submit an article idea, correction or comment, write to us here or contact us. Both of them are subject to a near-continual barrage of colourful insults courtesy of Meghans silvered, sharp-edged tongue. In her latest work, Falling for Figaro, Macdonald is given her first starring role since Patti Cake$ in the story of Millie, a brilliant young American fund manager living in the UK who leaves her unfulfilling job and long-term boyfriend to chase her lifelong dream of becoming an opera singer in the Scottish Highlands. The movie, which also stars Joanna Lumley, tells the story of a young fund manager who chases a dream of becoming an opera singer. He always has a smile on his face and he never lets pressure get to him to a point where he would snap. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I practised every single day in LA and while shooting another movie in Canada before I came to Scotland, and then every single day when I got there, she says. Apparently its accidental. We first see her gazing rapt at a soprano in full flight at Londons Royal Opera House. Its a very beautiful place, Scotland., Max (Hugh Skinner) and Millie (Danielle Macdonald) are both training to enter an opera singing competition. What begins as a brutal competition between Millie and Max slowly turns into something more, and although this sounds like the set-up for a romantic comedy, instead, much like Patti Cake$ (and Macdonalds life as well), its more about a woman throwing caution to the wind and pursuing her dreams while she still can. Rating: B-minus. I was thoroughly entertained. Unfortunately, my plaudits for Falling for Figaro mostly end there".[23]. [9] The production of the film was funded by Screen Australia, Screen Scotland and Film Victoria[3] and took only two winter months to make (DecemberJanuary). Its never that easy. This well-meaning but strained comedy, directed by Ben Lewin ( "The Sessions") from a formulaic script he wrote with Allen Palmer, follows an oft-trod movie theme: You can achieve your wildest. The parents' guide to what's in this movie. She begins intense vocal training lessons with renowned but fearsome singing teacher and former opera diva Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop (Joanna Lumley). Production: (U.K.-Australia-U.S.) An . Macdonald's charm and talent, and natural ability to sing, plus MIllie's two simmering romances and Joanna Lumley as her witheringly honest coach make Falling for Figaro an inspiring and. Danielle Macdonald sits down with marie claire to talk singing like everyones watching, working with Joanna Lumley and why she's a secret Disney adult. Falling for Figaro is a 2021 romantic comedy film written and directed by Ben Lewin, and starring Joanna Lumley, Danielle Macdonald and Hugh Skinner . Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Top Gun: Maverick, Banshees of Inisherin, All Quiet on the Western Front Win at MPSE, 2023 SAG Awards: Everything Everywhere Lands SAG Record, Everything Everywhere All At Once Tops Producers Guild. An American import, Millie leaves the boardrooms of London and her boyfriend Charlie (Star Trek: Discoverys Shazad Latif) behind to convince Absolutely Fabulous grandee Joanna Lumley, as imperiously cranky opera coach Meghan, to teach her a thing or two. Falling for Figaro is uplifting and joyful, tugging on the heart strings just enough, while throwing in some mild jeopardy to keep us hooked. [19] On Metacritic, Falling for Figaro has a rank of 51 out of 100 from six critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [13] The film also was screened in the Official Selection at the 2021 British Film Festival. Thats why weve pulled together this snappy little list of 90-minute or less films that will hit the spot. Families can talk about the characters in Falling for Figaro. Clad in flowing caftans and sporting a welcome frown, Meghan takes on coaching Millie with the nimble cruelty that Simon Cowell took behind the desk on those first few scenes of American Idol. All Rights Reserved. The consistent strong language includes variants of "f--k," along with "s--t," and "bitch." Sometimes Hugh and I would sit and just wonder How is she so good? Shes never not good. Its a really beautiful art-form, and I really enjoy it. She begins intense vocal training lessons with renowned but fearsome singing teacher and former opera diva Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop (Lumley). HOLLYWOOD FIRST LOOK FALLING FOR FIGARO (2021) | Danielle Macdonald on her latest film with Kiyra Lynn Interview with: Danielle Macdonald A brilliant young fund manager leaves her unfulfilling. See production, box office & company info, Luss, Alexandria, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. Clad in flowing caftans and sporting a welcome frown, Meghan takes on coaching Millie with the nimble cruelty that Simon Cowell took behind the desk on those first few scenes of American Idol. As for which ultimately wins out, expect no surprises in Falling for Figaro, a corny, cute-enough carpe diem comedy, in which its a lovable ensemble led by Danielle Macdonald, and spiked by a deliciously imperious Joanna Lumley that brings the grace notes to a pretty standard-issue script. 4 min read According to her dour, navy-suited employers in an old-school London financial institute, young American Millie Cantwell is the most prodigiously gifted fund. Watch Falling for Figaro | Netflix Official Site Falling for Figaro 2021 | Maturity rating: 15 | Music A fund manager trades her cushy life in London for a tiny Scottish village, where she chases her singing dreams coached by a crotchety former opera star. Is The Last of Us The Walking Dead For Smart People? The movie stars Danielle Macdonald as Millie, a successful fund manager who gives up her career to chase her dream of becoming an opera singer. Its Super Air Museum Attractions, Review: The Beths Continue to Be Experts in a Thriving Field at Thalia Hall, Review: Maggie Rogers Kicks the Aragon into Maximum Overdrive, Review: Oscar-Nominated Short Documentary Films Explore Issues of the Environment, Community, Family and Politics. Steve Prokopy is chief film critic for the Chicago-based arts outlet Did Danielle Macdonald actually sing in Falling for Figaro? Quitting her lucrative job and moving away from her boyfriend, she travels to the Scottish Highlands where she eventually becomes an opera singer following intense vocal training from former opera diva Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop and fierce competition from other opera singers including Max, Meghan's other student. What She Said' Anne Brodie spoke with Macdonald. She cant do it alone, however, which is where crotchety, hard-to-please voice coach Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop (Lumley) comes in. The goal of every movie should be to entertain. I did have singing lessons and had to learn the songs, so I could do it properly on set and be replaced in post. for the Chicago Critics Film Festival, which has been one of the Literally always! Short on time? You can help us help kids by Still, it passes the time harmlessly enough, thanks largely to the relaxed Macdonald, who never pushes too hard for laughs, and Skinner, who manages the difficult feat of making his character endearing while never cracking a smile. Meghan constant puts her down but she doesnt let that deter her. The amateur opera competition Singer of Renown is several months away, and she wants to give it her best shot. Bye. It is there she meets Max (Hugh Skinner), another of Meghans students who is also training for the upcoming Singer of Renown contest. Saoirse Ronan is remarkable and so is everything else in this entrancing adaptation of Ian McEwan's novella about a young British couple on their honeymoon in 1962. [15], Falling for Figaro was released by various distributors almost all over the world. (Macdonald is actually Australian in real life, but her American accent is flawless.) I spent some time with Danielle Macdonald to talk about her interest in Falling for Figaro, working with the always super-funny Joanna Lumley, her dynamics with Hugh Skinner, and the experience on singing on-set. Its amazing and inspiring to be around some people, and shes definitely one of those people. Lincoln Square and Ravenswood Restaurant Week 2023 @ Various Restaurants, Various Times WHAT: A great way to explore cuisine and fine dining at restaurants throughout Lincoln Square and Ravenswood SO WHAT: Take a break from eating at home and check out some of the great restaurants ion the Lincoln Square and Ravenswood neighborhoods with their Restaurant week! Inevitably culminating in the singing competition for which the stakes dont feel particularly high, Falling for Figaro feels like a step backward for its director, who brought sensitivity and depth to such previous efforts as The Sessions. Its your happiness, you have to follow that. My only real negatives are several F words throughout and a few discreet sexual situations. But he eventually warms to her, even helping her recover after Meghan practically strangles her as part of her distinctly hands-on approach to teaching singing. Some scenes include characters drinking alcohol, but always in moderation. Its surprising that opera isnt more at the center of romantic comedies. Its quite a leap, after all, from grimy New Jersey rapping to trilling (or ably lip-synching, rather) her way through Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in a sequined evening gown. , Elton John, the Spice Girls and Harry Styles would have declined the opportunity to sing at Windsor Castle. One of my favorites, Danielle MacDonald has a new flick and she chatted with me about opera, singing and that. Review: Emma Mackey Soars To Dizzying Heights in Emily, Sundance Catch-Up: Slow Tingles With Possibility and Longing. [5], On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 73% based on 26 critics, with an average rating of 6.5/10. In the venerable tradition of irascible cinematic teachers, Meghan turns out to be less than diplomatic: This is one of the most delightful arias ever written and youre turning it into noise pollution is her idea of constructive criticism. Director Ben Lewin Writers Ben Lewin Allen Palmer Stars Christina Bennington Danielle Macdonald Shazad Latif See production, box office & company info Watch on Hulu It is there she meets Max, another of Meghans students who is also training for the upcoming Singer of Renown contest. In Lumley's hilarious claws, Meghan is Maria Callas meets Miranda Priestley. Which of them are positive role models and why? Danielle Macdonald plays an aspiring opera singer in Ben Lewin's romantic comedy, also featuring Hugh Skinner and Joanna Lumley. This leads to many positive messages about following your heart and the fact that it takes hard work, courage, and sometimes sacrifice to achieve your goals. Millie with her opera coach/torturer, Meghan (Joanna Lumley). In Lumleys hilarious claws, Meghan is Maria Callas meets Miranda Priestley. Macdonald is hoping a temporarily paused top secret project with everyones favourite lockdown musical creator Bo Burnham billed as a high school romp in which two students don superhero costumes to turn the table on their bullies will kick back into gear soon. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. She got a one-shot on Glee, was cast in the Brit Marling-starring, eco-terrorist drama The East, and has worked on and off since then doing bit parts in everything from Pretty Little Liars, 2 Broke Girls, and American Horror Story to Clark Greggs Trust Me and Amy Bergs Every Little Thing. Someone always dies in opera; theyre so dramatic. So I saw this fun rom-com, but then to have it be bright and quirky but also have that British/Australian sensibility to it was really fun. This is doubtless a wonderful thing to hear if you truly want to be a fund manager. Something to worry the officials of Buckingham Palace, surprised by these cascading refusals, and short of time. That was really amazing, but also very intimidating, and very cool to be in the vibe of it and really feel it around you., Lewin was thoroughly lovely to work with, Macdonald says. 2021 film; Romantic comedy set in the fierce world of opera singing competitions. Will her initial rivalry with Meghans other protg, awkwardly adorable Max (a delightful Hugh Skinner), blossom into something closer? Distributor: IFC Films If you would like to talk to Joey about cheese, corgis, or Julianne Moore, follow him on Twitter or Instagram. As the story begins, she's got a loving, if not opera-loving, boyfriend,. Based on this movie, do you recommend everyone taking time out of their lifeespecially when theyre young enough to do soand pursuing their dream that they might not be able to later on in life? Playing the acerbic Meghan is a doddle for Joanna Lumley, mostly wearing what looks for the most part like hand-me-downs and straggly blonde hair that shrieks for a coiffeur to come and fix it. Its melodramatic, over-the-top, and probably the priciest of all the performing arts that your aunt can drag you to. Its still crazy to me, honestly, but shes very warm and welcoming, and so instantly, you just feel connected to her because she brings you in., A country mile away from the bullying tactics of her character Meghan, Lumley does, however, share her pointed wit. That anyone might have the courage to continue singing after that cut-down is just one of this pleasantly dopey, easy-on-the-ear films many gentle implausibilities. Third Coast Review is a member of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. I have very eclectic tastes, but Im not musical myself, so its kinda crazy., Danielle Macdonald as an opera singer in Falling for Figaro. The Ranges provided plenty more opportunity for between-takes wowing. Her new, light-as-an-aria rom-com, & quot ; point where he would snap throughout and a few discreet situations... 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