Movie Review by Donna Baxter Porcher
Filmmaker Nisha Ganatra adapted and directed The High Note from a screenplay by Flora Greeson. Set in the glamorous world of the LA music scene, Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross) is a stylish diva who has been listening to Jake Robertson (Ice Cube) to guide her career, which now seems to have stagnated. Maggie (Dakota Johnson), her young, ambitious assistant with an old soul, is also trying to get Grace to notice her talent as a producer. Other cast members include Kelvin Harrison Jr., Zoe Chao, Eddie Izzard, June Diane Raphael, Bill Pullman, and Diplo.
This is a feel-good comedy that pulls you in from the very beginning. Tracee Ellis Ross is fashionable in every scene, and during her stage performance, especially the scene with her in the red dress, it is obvious that she got it from her mama—Motown icon Diana Ross. And before you wonder, yes, this is Tracee Ellis Ross you hear singing, and she does an amazing job! The film is visually appealing with colorful imagery from the costumes to the beautiful California coast. Additionally, it has an amazingly soulful soundtrack that grips you right from the very beginning, so it is no surprise that music is what brings them all together in the end.
While the characters Grace Davis and Maggie seem so different on the outside in terms of age and race, deep down, as women, they shared common fears. Maggie’s choice of vehicle to her choice of music makes it evident that she is an old soul, which is a perfect fit for Grace, a soulful diva who seemed to be nearing the end of a long and successful career.
Subjected to ageism, sexism, and then the added racism that African American women deal with as they try to make their mark in this world, especially in the male-dominated music industry, women in general may find such experiences challenging but not impossible to overcome. Though this film is a comedy, it is also an empowering drama that will strike a chord with any woman, young or old, with any aspirations. With messages of never giving up and choosing what makes you happy despite what others think, The High Note will resonate with anyone with a strong desire to accomplish that one thing in life that they are most passionate about.
With romance, a soulful original soundtrack, and a surprise ending, The High Note is just what we need to lift our spirits during this pandemic. It will be available on demand May 29. For more details on where and how to watch, visit WatchtheHighNote.com.
