Elle Fanning stars as an aspiring singer
Happy Mother’s Day
from all of us at
Kouros Diner
KOUROS
BAY DINER
Caribbean L BQ ife, May 3–9, 2019 53
By Kam Williams
Violet Valenski (Elle Faning)
is a 17-year-old living
with her single-mom
(Agnieszka Grochowska) on
a modest family farm on the
Isle of Wight. She secretly
dreams of becoming a
pop star, but has no time
to pursue it between school
and several part-time jobs.
Besides attending to animals
at home, she waitresses at a
pub and clerks at a convenience
store.
Violet’s fortunes change
the day that the producers
of “Teen Spirit” visit town
in search of the next singing
sensation.” Teen Spirit”
is a reality-TV series similar
to American Idol, The X Factor
and other talent competitions.
Violet’s very eager to audition,
but can only participate
if her disapproving mother
signs the release form. It
looks like the end of the line
when momma refuses to do
so, until an unlikely knight
in shining armor arrives in
Vlad (Zlatko Buric), a fan
who has seen her perform
in a local bar on open mic
nights.
Turns out Vlad, a former
opera singer, is eager not
only to train Violet’s voice,
but to serve as her guardian.
And over the ensuing weeks,
we watch as a diamond in the
rough blossoms into a worldclass
talent.
Thus unfolds “Teen Spirit,”
a coming-of-age tale directed
by Max Minghella. The uplifting,
overcoming-the-odds
adventure borrows elements
from many a classic of the
genre, ranging from “Cinderella”
to “Karate Kid.” It
even goes so far as to include
the theme from Flashdance
on the soundtrack.
Shamelessly derivative,
but still manages to tug on
your heartstrings!
“Teen Spirit”
Very Good (3 stars)
Rated PG-13 for suggestive
content, and for
underage smoking and
drinking
Running time: 92
minutes
Production Companies:
Interscope Films
/ Automatik Entertainment
/ Blank Tape
Distributor: Bleecker
Street Media / LD Entertainment
Elle Faning stars as Violet Valenski in “Teen Spirit.” https://www.rottentomatoes.com
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