Jackie & Ryan (2014)

Review: Man, this film was really boring. I was hoping for something major to happen in the storyline but it stays on a slow pace and depressing theme, all the way through the film. Its about a drifter whose hoping for a big break in the music business whilst busking in various places. He then comes across a woman whose been knocked down on the road by mistake, so he runs to her rescue, not realising that his possessions are being stolen at the same time. The lady, Jackie Laurel (Katherine Heigl), decides to offer the man, Ryan Brenner (Ben Barnes) a roof over his head and some hot food, which he gladly accepts after living rough in trains for some time. He then takes on some odd jobs around the house, like fixing there leaking roof, but her mum isn't happy with the arrangement so she makes his stay quite uncomfortable. Jackie is also a country singer who had a few hits in her time but now she is a single mother whose going through an emotional divorce were she has to fight to keep custody of her young daughter. Together, they help each other through troubled times and manage to find joy in life whilst trying to sort out there problems. I got bored after the first few minutes but the talented guitarist/country singer, Ryan, did play some good tunes. The storyline didn't seem to go anywhere and there love for each other was a dead end right from the beginning. I was left feeling empty when the film ended because nothing major happened all the way through the film. I thought that the poor drifter was going to make it big in the music world and come back to save Jackie but it ended quite abruptly which made the film a bit pointless. The love story is sweet and it's nice that these two people from completely two different world's, joined together and fell in love but I really struggled to stay awake through the film. Disappointing!

Round-Up: Katherine Heigl, 36, is known for her comedy roles in films like Knocked Up, 27 Dresses, the Ugly Truth, Killers, Life As We Know It and the Big Wedding and she has taken on some dramatic roles in Descendant, Evil Never Dies, Valentine and Bride of Chucky. Her career blossomed after starring in the hit series Grey's Anatomy in 2005 and she hasn't stopped working ever since then. She also starred in 13 episodes of State Of Affairs during 2014-2015 so her acting career for the big screen had to be put on hold. I doubt that this film will damage her success as a Rom-Com specialist but if she's hoping to switch into the dramatic genre, she will have to pick her projects a bit better. Ben Barnes, 34, played the lead in Dorian Gary and also starred in the Chronicles of Narnia franchise, Stardust, the Big Wedding and Seventh Son but he's yet to become a household name. I personally find his acting quite weak but I was impressed with his singing and guitar playing skills in this movie. This is the second major movie release for director Ami Canaan Mann who also directed the intense thriller, Texas Killing Fields. I don't exactly know what she was trying to achieve with this movie because it does have a glum feeling through most of it but love does manage to eventually find a way which is what made the film slightly watchable. I still can't imagine myself watching it again anytime soon but I'm sure that there are many people out there that would enjoy this emotional drama.

I recommend this movie to people who are into their emotional dramas about a train hopping busker whose fighting to make it in the music world and a former country star whose fighting to keep her daughter. 3/10