The High Note
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tracee Ellis Ross, Ice Cube
Directed By: Nisha Ganrata
Rated: PG-13
There are few things I miss more than going to the movie theater to escape the world for a few hours. I’ve been hesitant to rent any VOD films since the start of this pandemic because there are so many streaming options readily available without paying $15-20. If I’m going to watch a new movie, I’d like for it to be on the big screen. This week, I caved in for the High Note. I’ve wanted to see it for a while, and figured why not give it a shot? Truthfully, the film provided a great escape from the COVID craziness.
The High Note is a little bit Devil Wears Prada meets A Star is Born. Director Nisha Ganrata has made a film that blends industry drama and romantic comedy. The film follows Maggie (Dakota Johnson), a personal assistant to larger than life singing icon, Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross). Maggie’s ultimate dream is to get out of the monotony of scheduling Grace’s appointments and ordering food and make it to the big time by producing music. She has a passion for producing, and it turns out; she’s very good.
Although the previews of The High Note seem to be focused on the fame of Grace Davis, this movie is really about the behind the scenes world of the music industry as Maggie tries to pursue her dream. Dakota Johnson carries the film and does so wonderfully. She’s the long-suffering assistant who longs for a life in the music industry. She is patient with Grace and even sees her as a friend, even though Grace, more often than not, views Maggie as an expendable employee.
I was thoroughly impressed with Kelvin Harrison Jr. in this movie. He burst onto the scene last year with performances in Luce and Waves. This is such a drastic turn from those films, proving he has an extraordinary range as an actor. In The High Note, he plays David, Maggie’s first musical client/love interest. He has excellent chemistry with Dakota Johnson. Not to mention the fact that he is an excellent singer. Track 8 stands out as a memorable and catchy song that could quickly get radio play today.
Tracee Ellis Ross is the film’s pop star, Grace Davis. At times her demands for Maggie seem overbearing, but there are layers to Grace. We see that she has been through the pitfalls of fame. She is expected to be “on” at all times for her public image and has to find a way to stay relevant. Not to mention the fact that it becomes increasingly difficult for women over a certain age to maintain Billboard success in music. Ellis Ross commands the viewer’s attention and makes for a believable singing superstar in the role. Perhaps her mother, Dianna Ross, was a good source of inspiration for her.
One issue I had with the film was the sound editing. Maybe it was just my TV at home, but the dialogue was always quiet, and the music sequences were very loud. I haven’t had that issue with any other shows/movies lately, so I think it was a sound editing issue. It seems like it could’ve been mixed a lot better for a movie dealing with a music producer. I was fixing the volume for the whole two-hour runtime.
Volume issues aside, The High Note is an engaging story filled with music, romance, and compelling characters. I can say that this one is worth the rental.
My Rating: 7/10