Standard Time

At some movie theatres lately, you have the choice of seeing "Love Actually" or "Anything But Love"; ironically, the titles are the exact opposite of what these films are really about. After the depressing fairy-tales of "Love Actually" it was so refreshing to see a film that may not have had the advantages of a big budget or top-name talent, but makes up for it with sincerity. For Billie Golden, the first love in her life is her music, and she finds love with a man who has the same philosophy. How reassuring to find a film that doesn't glorify materialism and appearances and subjugates the love story to the more important life journey of finding one's passion. Miss Isabel Rose certainly looks and acts the part and has a nice little voice; Andrew McCarthy, as already noted, is perfect as the sclubby pianist. The rest of the cast is serviceable (Cameron Bancroft, I thought, was the weakest link). Costumes (particularly Billie's glorious retro fashions) were great and although there is a heck of a lot of distractingly bad ADR, there are some great NYC locations that make this one of the great movie valentines to the Big Apple, along the lines of "Annie Hall." The Technicolor dream sequence was a nice touch. Some interesting, not-oft-heard standards are to be found in the score. The script was awkward at times, particularly in the ending, but overall this is a fine little movie and a great holiday treat.

I am such a fan of musicals and romance movies with a happy ending. This movie appeals directly to the hopeless romantic in me. I won't give away much of the movie, but what I will tell you is that our heroine is beautiful and talented and not in the way that Hollywood demands. She's got a wonderful figure without being anorexic thin. And the men are not soap opera hunks (thank god!). This movie is not just a love story, but also encourages you to follow your dreams. It's a heartwarming story told in a very timeless way. The dream sequences are fun, and the songs classic. If you are looking for a movie for a girl's night, or something to cuddle up to your honey with on a rainy day this is most definitely your movie.

This film made its debut at the 2002 San Diego Film Festival to an enthusiastic audience. This unique story about a cabaret singer trying to break away from the airport lounge circuit while looking for love and fulfillment is a perfect escape from the bikinis and explosions found in most movies these days. Shot with great color, filled with wonderful old standard songs, and written with the soul of experience by star Isabel Rose and director/choreographer Robert Cary, this is a film that any music lover would enjoy. It's not a musical, but it is full of music. Andrew McCarthy and Eartha Kitt are fabulous, and Isabel Rose won Best Up and Coming Actress at the San Diego Film Festival.

Billie Golden (played by Isabel Rose, in a part she wrote herself) is an extremely small-time cabaret performer in a seedy neighborhood of Queens (or is it Brooklyn?). She sings pretty well, and loves the great cabaret standards, but her musical career is going nowhere, and when she loses the one real performing job she's ever had it precipitates a crises in her life.

Billie lives in a world of Technicolor musical numbers, which occur at frequent intervals throughout this extremely entertaining romantic comedy. She meets a handsome corporate lawyer and falls in love with him, then gets an unexpected chance to perform again at her old stand. Many complications ensue, some of which are quite predictable, but all of which are written and enacted in a very charming way.

Andrew McCarthy as the third corner of the love triangle is very appealing here, in a scruffy sort of way. Isabel Rose is terrific, and the remaining cast members turn in quirky and convincing performances. Of particular note are the cinematography, set decoration, and costumes, which manage to achieve the look of vintage Technicolor on what must have been a very small budget.

This film has been released for cable under the title "Anything but Love," from the song that is a key part of the musical score. Whatever the title, "Standard Time" is well worth watching.

I just saw Standard Time at the Victoria Film Festival. Not just for incurable romantics like me, it should also appeal to fans of nostalgic flicks like "Purple Rose of Cairo". Deserves a full release.

Debbie