Billy's Holiday

... unfortunately, there is little else for which to make this film a truly worthwhile expenditure of 92 minutes of your life, let alone a worthwhile cinematic experience. I suppose that Max Cullen's talent for jazz diva vocal mimicry is somewhat noteworthy. After all, it was by most accounts the reason this film was even made. However, when you throw in a rather haphazardly scripted story about an incredibly improbable scenario, all the vocal mimic heroics, big band swing numbers, and slick choreography can't transform the sideshow into the musical that it endeavors to be. I give this movie 2 stars, one for the excellent swing music that prevails throughout the motion picture and one for Max Cullen's freaky vocals.

This movie is an Australian musical, and as far as I know, Its meant to be played in cinemas. Although it never rises above a "Hallmark Channel" quality at no point.

The story goes like this: Our hero, Billy is an ordinary guy between 50 and 60. He works at a shop (or wherever he works), and has a daughter. He's divorced, and her daughter hates her, for being a major embarrassment. But billy has a secret talent. He can imitate the voice of Billie Holiday (well, not exactly, but some old woman voice)! On the top of that, he sings quite well, so when people find out his ability, there's no stop till Broadway!

Yes, it is a stupid plot. What else could make a movie good? Breathtaking visuals. Nope, you wont find any here. The music parts look like they're from a music-video from the 80's. What else? Grabbing acts. Well, you might not share my opinion, but I find Max Cullen the most annoying actor, I've ever seen on screen. Imagine this guy. This old and chubby guy. He looks a bit like and old lady too (maybe just because those really big eyes of his)! And he's acting through the whole movie with that "oh, I'm just a miserable little old dick, please shoot me in the head, for I don't have the balls doing it myself!" look of his face. When happy, he looks like a Pedophile on a playground. Really a guy, you just want to ignore. And THEN, he starts singing in a female tone. In the end, the film is painfully kitchy, and it's totally tasteless. One of the most forgettable musicals I ever seen.

This is a unique and totally fun movie made by the folks who created Strictly Ballroom. Great swing music, especially the sounds of Billie Holiday and Australian jazz trumpet great James Morrison, pulls the viewer into a pastel-colored fantasy world that is irresistibly uplifting. The film is able to generate a sense of child-like wonder and positivity that touches the heart without being manipulative, no small accomplishment. It is not known who actually sings in the Billie Holiday voice, or if the lead is simply lip-synching, but the resemblance to the real thing is uncanny. The opening scene on the bus is a treasure.

Max Cullen must've been a trumpet player at some stage of his career. In Episode 414 of Homicide (an Australian Crime Drama) - filmed in 1973 - Max plays Trumpet on stage in this episode called 12 Bar Blues.

I watched it on TV out of curiosity. How (and why?) could anybody make a movie about a white, paunchy, middle-aged, heterosexual, father named Billy in Australia who suddenly gains the ability to sing in the same high pitched voice and style as Billie Holiday from old Harlem, USA on the other side of the earth? Truly antipodal! The movie contains several entertaining musical numbers in swing style with dancing. The female characters seem more masculine than the men and the story seems to be about Billy becoming a better, happier person by accessing his "feminine side". I'm still not sure whose voice was used for the singing. I'm guessing it was, in fact, the lead actor's, Max Cullen which would be astonishing.