I'll Be There (2003)

I'll Be There

As a big fan of Craig Ferguson I truly enjoyed this film. His directorial debut. Charlotte Church's voice is gorgeous. December 26, 2008

Ferguson fans in for a treat

A film that's a lot of fun. If you're an admirer of Craig Ferguson, this will probably be one of your favorites. The story is good enough, the singing is fun and fine, Ferguson is a hoot and the ensemble cast brings it together well. Church's singing is beautiful. Not "the greates film ever made" but enjoyable and for Ferguson addicts, a real treat. December 2, 2008

Funny and heartwarming British comedy you might overlook, but shouldn't

If you enjoy British Comedy and good music from both the rock and roll and current day eras, you might want to give "I'll be There" a watch.

The premise, 80's hairband rocker Paul Kerr (Ferguson) crashes his bike through a window of his Welsh mansion. He wakes up in the hospital with what the docs describe as 'superficial damage.' The thing is, the hospital he wakes up in is a psych ward. The docs think his drunken escapade is a cry for help.

He gets that help and then some. Rebecca (Gemma Redgrave), who was a 48-hour-stand back in the 80's, shows up to tell him they had a daughter. Digger (Ralph Brown), the drummer in the Love Rats his old band, shows up to help him sober up.

Once Paul straightens out his life, he makes an attempt to know his daughter Olivia (Church). No surprise she's a singer. Musical talent runs on both sides of the family. Her Grand-dad is 70 and still touring with his rock and roll band.

There's not a lot of teenage angst here. As a matter of fact, young Olivia seems to be the best grounded of the lot. She knows what she wants from her life and she's doing her best to get it without hurting anyone. I'm definitely impressed by Charlotte Church's acting in this role. Also, you get to hear several songs from her, including:

Reach Out/I'll Be there
Summertime (from Porgy and Bess)
In Hebrid Seas
Would I Know?

The film's going to give you more than one good laugh from the psych ward to the old rocker's backyard. "I'll be There" is one film you may have missed, because it appears to be somewhat low-budget, but if you enjoy humor or Church's singing, you may want to give this one a watch.

Rebecca Kyle, September 2008

September 11, 2008

A comedy about music- and family

This is a film that we watch about twice a year. Craig Ferguson was outstanding but so was almost everyone else in this very well acted comedy about family and music. And this is a real comedy where you will find real laughs (many comedies seem to be placed in that category simply because they fit no where else). Charlotte Church was far better as an actress than anyone could have expected. And her music was stunning. Her rendition of Gershwin's "Summertime" was both beautiful and perfectly placed as a music jewel in the crown of this comedy. You will enjoy this one. May 14, 2008

A Positive Film About A Rock Star..A Total Suprise

What a sheer delight touched with a bit of sadness as see the wonderful girl Charlotte Church 'used to be'....
I have always been a Josh Ackland since I saw 'Shadowlands' where his portrayal of C.S.Lewis is far superior to that of Anthony Hopkin's..To see him 'rocking out' and being so lovable dispite his many shortcomings is a wonderful treat...
The humor is delightfully subtle and all of the characters are so very human...No one is perfect yet all of them (with one exception) are loveable...The last ten minutes create joyful tears.... December 5, 2007

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