Downtown Express (2012)
Average Rating: 5.8/10
Reviews Counted: 11
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 5
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5.2/10
Critic Reviews: 6
Fresh: 3 | Rotten: 3
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 67
Movie Info
Set in the world of Russian immigrants living in New York City, Downtown Express uses music to explore the clash of old world values against the lure and excitement of a new country. Under the watch of his loving but overbearing father, virtuoso violinist and Juilliard student Sasha (Grammy nominee Philippe Quint) prepares for a critical recital meant to launch his career. Yet, he is increasingly drawn to the rhythms of the streets of New York, and when he meets singer-songwriter Ramona
Cast
-
Philippe Quint
Sasha -
Nellie McKay
Ramona -
Michael Cumpsty
Vadim -
Carolyn McCormick
Marie -
Ashley Springer
Arkady -
Declan Bennett
Carter -
Jade Synstelien
Rabbit -
Chris Eddleton
Anthony -
Igor Fonberg
Ivan -
Marcia Jean Kurtz
Woman on the Subway Pla... -
Elizabeth Abate
Music Underground Judge -
Jerry Barnard
Music Underground Judge -
John Carlton
Music Underground Judge... -
Elaine Chambers
Music Underground Judge -
Rolyne Joseph
Music Underground Judge -
Andrew Roole
Music Underground Judge -
David Brown
Master of Ceremonies -
Sydney Chong
Child Violinist -
Jinwoo Jung
Child Violinist -
Olivia Kang
Child Violinist -
Victoria Chamberlin
Voice in the Max Fish C...
ADVERTISEMENT
All Critics (11) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (5)
The unconvincing but gently spirited "Jazz Singer" update features accomplished musicians in the lead roles; the treat is their playing, not their acting.
Top CriticEveryone seems so genuinely excited to be sharing their music on film that the entire experience becomes a joyful alliance between audience and actors.
The film may be hopelessly old-fashioned, but it's hard to entirely resist its portrait of a city that not only never sleeps but also seems to be bursting with melody at every turn.
Mr. Grubin may fumble two romances and several pivotal scenes, but the energy of the streets remains safe in his hands.
The film's wide-eyed view of New York as a wonderland of harmonic diversity soon grows as tiresome as the film's trite romantic shuffling.
Whether to let go and follow your own path is a stock dilemma, and an implausibly hopeful conclusion winds up undercutting the realism of this immigrant song.
Marked by wide-eyed charm, though not particularly adroit -- a marginal pan, owing to its somewhat lazy and functional narrative. Still, its music, from Philippe Quint and Nellie McKay, absolutely sings.
"Tchaikovsky must be grabbed by the throat or it becomes sentimental," declares the paterfamilias in Downtown Express, but the character could be critiquing the very movie in which finds himself.
'Downtown Express' is a charming, if somewhat familiar, movie that becomes extraordinary because it has astonishingly good music.
The movie's final act tries, somewhat admirably, to consolidate the plot's myriad interpersonal conflicts.
The film stars two virtuoso musical performers, one in rock and one in classical music. The plot is minor, but the music is a major--perhaps the major--attraction.
Audience Reviews for Downtown Express
Discussion Forum
There are no discussion threads for Downtown Express yet.
What's Hot On RT
John Goodman's Best Movies
Woody Allen in San Francisco
Naomi Watts stars as Princess Di
Pictures from a zombie nation
Latest News on Downtown Express
April 20, 2012:
Critics Consensus: The Lucky One Can't Catch a BreakThis week at the movies, we've got a picture-perfect romance (The Lucky One, starring Zac Efron and...
Fresh Links
Featured
Movie: ID: 771244754 Title: Downtown Express Release Date: 2012-04-20 00:00:00.0 MPAA: 6 Status: 1
Family Movie Mistakes
Even the best family entertainment experiences a few blunders now and then...
The Looks of Johnny Depp
To celebrate the star's birthday, BuzzSugar looks at the many faces of Johnny Depp.
10 Egregious Product Placements
Rolling Stone wonders if The Internship goes too far... then provides 10 examples of movies that did.
10 Bad Movies That Look Great
Sometimes even terrible movies can be beautiful; here are 10 of them, from HitFix.
50 Most Classic Movie Moms
In celebration of Mother's Day, TimeOut offers up 50 iconic matriarchs from the big screen.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter!
Spice up your feed with hourly Tomatometer updates!
Featured on RT
- James Gandolfini: 1961-2013 10
- Total Recall: John Goodman's Best Movies 32
- In Pictures: Zombie Nation! 0
- Video Interviews with Cast & Crew of Monsters University 0
- Digital Multiplex: 21 & Over, Quartet, and More 3
- RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Jack the Giant Slayer and Quartet 23
- Box Office Guru Wrapup: Man of Steel Sets June Record 111
Top Headlines
-
Has Brad Pitt Ever Made a Successful Blockbuster?
1
-
Pacific Rim Set Visit Report
0
-
Shailene Woodley Cut from Amazing Spider-Man 2
0
-
Star Wars Casting Breakdown Reportedly Leaks
0
-
Universal Picks Up Dumb and Dumber To
0
-
Sam Taylor-Johnson Directing Fifty Shades of Grey
0
-
The Logan's Run Remake Has a New Writer
1
