EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

The picture might have its heart in the right place, a lack of memorable songs or fine acting performances make it hardly worth talking about.

I'd love to wax lyrically about the merits of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, but to be frank, there isn't that much to crow about.

Based on the hit West End musical about a 16-year-old boy who wants to attend his prom in drag, the picture has the heart in the right place yet dramatically or emotionally adds nothing new to the coming-of-age genre, as the film goes through all too familiar beats.

This might have been countered by excellent acting, memorable songs or a visually exciting style but on all three accounts Everybody's Talking About Jamie is decidedly mediocre, despite a decent supporting role for the always entertaining Richard E. Grant, whose aging drag queen seems a much more interesting character to build a movie around than the titular teen ever is.

I don't doubt that there is an audience out there that will embrace Everybody's Talking About Jamie, that will sing along with the ditties and maybe even be emboldened to have a coming-out. But the odds I'll be talking to others about this unremarkable picture anytime soon are rather slim.

release: 2021

director: Jonathan Butterell

starring: Max Harwood, Lauren Patel, Sarah Lanc ashire, Shobna Gulati