Anything But Love (2003)

Why so much hype?

Sorry, this movie sucks

Sick Product of a Sick System

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Isabel Rose stars as a cabaret singer who has to choose between the art that she loves and a wealthy life as the wife of a corporate lawyer. Isabel has a pleasant voice and she attractive looks, but she is not a great singer, or a glamorous star. Maybe that is why this film succeeds so well. She isn't a Judy Garland, but she obviously has is a love for singing the old standards, and it is obvious that music is part of her soul. The film is bursting with charm and atmosphere. While is is not of the technical caliber of the great MGM musicals, it has a raw joy that is seldom seen in films. This film has more sincerity, more heart, more soul and more music than any romantic comedy or musical that I have seen in recent years. It is the real thing by real people who mean it. A rarity and something to treasure.

Billie Golden (played by Isabel Rose, in a part she wrote herself) is an extremely small-time cabaret performer in a seedy neighborhood of Queens (or is it Brooklyn?). She sings pretty well, and loves the great cabaret standards, but her musical career is going nowhere, and when she loses the one real performing job she's ever had it precipitates a crises in her life. Billie lives in a world of Technicolor musical numbers, which occur at frequent intervals throughout this extremely entertaining romantic comedy. She meets a handsome corporate lawyer and falls in love with him, then gets an unexpected chance to perform again at her old stand. Many complications ensue, some of which are quite predictable, but all of which are written and enacted in a very charming way.Andrew McCarthy as the third corner of the love triangle is very appealing here, in a scruffy sort of way. Isabel Rose is terrific, and the remaining cast members turn in quirky and convincing performances. Of particular note are the cinematography, set decoration, and costumes, which manage to achieve the look of vintage Technicolor on what must have been a very small budget. This film has been released for cable under the title "Anything but Love," from the song that is a key part of the musical score. Whatever the title, "Standard Time" is well worth watching.

At some movie theatres lately, you have the choice of seeing "Love Actually" or "Anything But Love"; ironically, the titles are the exact opposite of what these films are really about. After the depressing fairy-tales of "Love Actually" it was so refreshing to see a film that may not have had the advantages of a big budget or top-name talent, but makes up for it with sincerity. For Billie Golden, the first love in her life is her music, and she finds love with a man who has the same philosophy. How reassuring to find a film that doesn't glorify materialism and appearances and subjugates the love story to the more important life journey of finding one's passion. Miss Isabel Rose certainly looks and acts the part and has a nice little voice; Andrew McCarthy, as already noted, is perfect as the sclubby pianist. The rest of the cast is serviceable (Cameron Bancroft, I thought, was the weakest link). Costumes (particularly Billie's glorious retro fashions) were great and although there is a heck of a lot of distractingly bad ADR, there are some great NYC locations that make this one of the great movie valentines to the Big Apple, along the lines of "Annie Hall." The Technicolor dream sequence was a nice touch. Some interesting, not-oft-heard standards are to be found in the score. The script was awkward at times, particularly in the ending, but overall this is a fine little movie and a great holiday treat.

I really enjoyed this film..For me it blended some of my favorite ways to be entertained..Standard Songs, Romance, Humour, and Wonderful, Refreshing Actors who did not distract from the story..The character "Amboise" the restaurant/club manager was hilarious from beginning to end..