There's something sweet about new love. But it becomes sour when that story is based on a plot device.
Anne Hathaway plays Franny, an anthropologist who returns to the U.S. after her estranged younger brother ends up in a coma. To cope, she searches through her brother's belongings, which helps her understand his passion for music.
She later discovers her brother's musical idol, James Forester, a prominent indie folk singer in a creative slump. Their budding romance is sweet and awkward, but it's covered in the blood of plot contrivance.
As the story progresses, we see how irrelevant the brother really is, and it's sad to see a human life put on the brink just to keep the stakes high (and it never is). While the movie isn't poorly made from a technical standpoint, it wouldn't work without Hathaway's and Flynn's likable performances (and the music that's played).
While I enjoyed the music, it doesn't make up for a weak story that lacks compelling arcs. Director Kate Barker-Froyland seems to have a decent ear for what can pluck your heartstrings, but she must get stronger as a storyteller or else her next Song One will continue to be one note.
