Hilary Duff fans, young and old, expect the expected from her newest film, Raise Your Voice (Brookwell-McNamara Entertainment, 2004), which was released October 8. Don't plan to receive newfound knowledge or become surprised by unforeseen plot twists from this 103-minute movie, because director Sean Mc Namara drives his viewers down a straight, narrow road of the expected.

Offering an inspirational, emotion-driven plot that is dotted with scenes reminiscent of other high school movies, this movie offers very little to an intellectual adult-- except for the escape from serious thought. Missing stimulating and lively dialogue and attention-grabbing plot developments, Raise Your Voice presents very little to viewers who engage their minds during movies. Like other movies that promote pop-stars through cinema, such as Britney Spear's Crossroads (Filmco, 2001) and Mariah Carey's Glitter (20th Century Fox, 2001), Raise Your Voice reaches movie-goers on an emotional and auditory level. Telling the inspirational story of a teenager, Terri Fletcher, who hones in on her musical talents and personal strength after her older brother's death, this movie offers a strong, universal story of overcoming adversity, and restoring one's faith after tragedy. As the movie follows Terri from her small hometown in Flagstaff, Arizona to a highly competitive summer music program at the Bristol-Hillman Conservatory in Los Angeles, viewers immediately connect to Duff's magnetic portrayal of the adorable, wholesome songstress.

As Terri encounters heart-wrenching tribulations in overcoming her brother's death, her troubles only increase as she adjusts to a demanding and competitive life at the Conservatory. Inspired by the music lessons of her eccentric teacher, Mr. Torvald (John Corbett), and her growing romance with fellow student, Jay (Oliver James), Terri's confidence grows alongside her musical talent. When she triumphs psychologically and musically at the end of the summer program, Terri's story reaches viewers on a stirring and musical level so powerfully that they may overlook the hokey scenes and language flooding the film.

While Terri croons about restoring her faith in the tune Someone's Watching Over Me, at the school's final performance, the annoyingly corny opening lyrics of the song "Found myself today/ oh I found myself and ran away," conflict with her the actress' soft, tantalizing voice. The movie offers so much incentive for the heart and the ear, that the lack of stimulation to the brain may go unnoticed. Plus, if the emotional connection doesn't win over a viewer, Terri's (actually Duff's) stunning, all-American looks will warm even the most cold-hearted viewer. Cuter than Britney Spears, classier then Christina Aguilera, and looking more age-appropriate than Lindsay Lohan, Duff, whose silky, platinum-blond mane and enviable smile heat the hearts of the young and old, male and female, possesses a physical appearance that makes Terri an even more likeable character.

Director San McNamara's biggest asset to his film proves to the musical talent. From Terri's (actually Duff's) exquisite voice, to a cluster of talented student musicians at the L.A. school, Raise Your Voice offers viewers a peak at compelling musical talents. From a quirky drummer, to a moody pianist to a zealous violinist, Duff's costars increase the quality of this mainstream film by adding a group of gifted and interesting secondary characters. Each of these musical talents, although possessed by stereotypical characters, adds a deeper dimension to an otherwise flat film. For viewers interested in Duff's co-stars, Raise Your Voice does boast several notable performers. All competent and believable, the stars of this movie deserve a more engaging plot and script. Duff, along with Corbett, Rebecca De Mornay, James, and Rita Wilson outshine the mediocre story of this predictable, albeit inspirational movie.

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