The plot is way too contrived, and the ending a little too sappy, but Emmy Rossum, James Badge Dale, and Mary McDonnell all give really good performances. There were a few too many "convenient coincidences" throughout the film, which really made you have to stretch to buy the plot, but it was played out very well by all the actors. And come on... an 18-year-old Kansas girl sleeping in the subways and doorways in New York -- I don't THINK so. Emmy Rossum has been a huge favorite of mine since she played Christine in the most recent Phantom of the Opera movie, and I don't know why Dale hasn't really gone places yet. IMHO, he's one of the best young actors around. Hard to see Rossum sing pop-folk-ish music, though -- once you've heard her sing the operatic tunes in Phantom it just seems like a waste of her enormous talent. All in all, it's a good watch.
Review of Nola
