Customer Reviews

Looking for an Echo

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is a good thing to watch a lesser known works that turn out actually better than you expected. Now you got another one here, with Armand Assante and Daine Venora (Mrs. Michael Mann), who had been long ill-used in Hollywood blockbusters like "Judge Dredd" and Bruno's "The Jackal" respectively. But you should know that they deserve much, much better things than those, and you will understand what I mean after watching this little-seen film.

"Looking for an Echo" (the title comes from Kenny Vance's 1996 album) is about an Itarian middle-aged man Vince (Assante) whose wife had passed away, and lives now with his son, an aspiring musician. And Vince himself, back in the 1960s, was the leader of the hit chorus group "Vinnie and the Dreamers," but is now totally retired from spotlight. But when he meets and falls in love with a nurse Joanne (Venora), who happens to have been a huge fan of his group, he gradually feels the impulse he had long lost. As Vince reunites with his old buddies, he knows, and we know, that his love for good-old songs are never dead.

Though my summery may lead you to think that the film goes on with a big showdown in sight, the fact is different. The story gives more stress to the budding relations between Vince and Joanne (and his son), showing how they come to love (or understand) each other. Songs are playing a major part, but their roles are aptly subdued, with a script that cleverly avoids clithed moments. The film unfolds very quietly, letting us into the close picture of family and friends that every viewer can relate to. In this sense, "Looking for an Echo" resembles Tom Hanks film "That Thing You Do" with a difference that the former gives us a credible picture of former stars living the present while the latter directly leads us into the world of relations surrounding a pop-song group.

The film refers to many chorus groups like "The Dells" and "The Harptones," so if you can sing a song or two of them, you will like the sound you can hear in the film, which is vividly realized by Kenny Vance, who was the leader of "Jay and The Americans." Many say rightly that this is a homage to doo-wap songs even though, as I said, the relations between characters come to the forefront in the story. But it is also true that its moody soundtrack does justice to the film's title and your expectation based on that.

Finally, though the film looks as a whole slightly light-weight, it gives a rare occasion for American film to introduce the love between man and woman aged more than 40. This is a bit surprise because the film succeeds in that place too, especially when you see Diane Venora clad in fancy dress. And I wonder why she has to be wasted in a pointless Hollywood remake, doing a very thankless role while she can enliven the screen single-handedly as is shown here.

This is absolutely the best movie wrapped around fifties & sixties music that I have ever seen. The music of Kenny Vance is superbly woven throughout a very heartwarming story that makes you want to cry and cheer at the same time. This is the music WCBS-FM SHOULD still be playing! The locations in Brooklyn and Howard Beach are just great and add to the overall flavor of the movie. Don't hestitate, just buy it!

This is a wonderful absorbing movie. I had never heard of it till my TiVo downloaded it and I decided to watch it. Not full of flash but full of warm human feelings. Kindness and anger. Love and pain. This type of movie doesn't get made now days. I'm buying the DVD.

...a wistful story about a middle aged man who's been burned and now it's time to get on with his life.

Thirty years ago Vinnie was a teen idol and the front man for Vinnie and the Dreamers, a doo-wop group from Brooklyn. Now, Vinnie is in his late forties and works as a bartender in Brooklyn. His wife died years ago of cancer. He has two sons at home, just starting to make their way in the world, but his teenage daughter is in the hospital with serious cancer.
Vinnie hadn't dated a woman since his wife died. He's very bitter over the Dreamers because he never benefited financially. He gets together socially a few times with old group. A reunion is planned, but it seems they all have resentments and grudges that need to be resolved.
It's a very nice portrayal of an Italian-American family in Brooklyn. The close relationship between Vinnie, his two sons and daughter gave me a warm feeling, especially between the father and sons.

One of Vinnie's sons is just breaking in as a pop musician and song writer. His musical presence gives a nice, contemporary balance to the doo-wop. As a musician, he is able to connect with his father, and he gently prompts him to get on with his life. As a film about a retired doo-wop singer, I felt the vocal performances of the doo-wop could have been better. But who knows, maybe they didn't want this to be labeled simply a , "Doo-Wop," movie. All elements in the movie were extremely well balanced.

I enjoyed the Bay Ridge setting, since we used to live on the edge of Bay Ridge. The accents, the buildings, restaurants, and the clothes were all the real Bay Ridge. The Italian-American thing is not overdone.

Some might say the movie is slow or dull, but it take a while for the story to build. The spirit of the music keeps it from getting too heavy. I doubt others will enjoy it as much as I did...

I had never heard of this film until I caught it on one of the cable channels and was pleasantly surprised. Having myself been a musician of that early rock era and being about the same age as the main character the feelings all seemed very genuine. This is a film I would recommend all to see. A real slice of life.

One wonders if the cast & crew of this wonderful flick thought they would/could succeed with: no guns, no blood, no explosions, no murders...beheadings, stabbings, etc.

If you love music, and have heard some fifties music, the kind that you just have to involuntarily sway and bob to....then this is your movie. It's wonderful, with a storyline and characters completely full bodied. And the music! Armand Assante playing against his usual form. And Diane Venora, a character so charasmatic, Assante isn't the only one that falls for her. We do, assisted by the best music score in a film since the Commitments! I love this movie! Makes me smile...."FEEL GOOD!".

"Looking For An Echo" is a movie that makes us remember what a movie should be. It has a wonderful story, joy, sadness, great music and Armand Asante in the role of his life. Nostalgic yet modern, this is a film that will make you feel wonderful after watching it and will stick in your mind. It's a story of hope, dreams, and spirit hidden in us all. Do something nice for your heart: Buy this movie!

This is one teriffic little film. As one who experienced the fame at age 16 and was out of the business at age 18, I was very emotionally attached to this story. The cast had it right -on! The music by Kenny Vance, particularly the arrangement of "This I Swear" was so perfect and so pure, that anyone experiencing it can not help but be moved back to another place ..and another time.Thank God the title is "Looking for an Echo" ...Vance' homage to the golden era or I would have probably missed it on the video shelf.

Rent It...Buy It...Love it!

What a pleasant, sincere and heart-warming little movie! While it may not have been nominated for any awards, it is an intelligently done story, with a fine and well-selected cast. Armand Assante, as the central character Vinny, is quite believable--he has "the look" of a teen idol, thirty years or so after the fact. The supporting cast is terrific, especially Christy Carlson Romano, who, as Vinny's daughter Tina, is absolutely charming! The soundtrack, provided by Kenny Vance and the Planotones, is mesmerizing--as I've said before, Kenny's voice is without equal - he is the finest lead singer I have ever heard, and I grew up in the 50's & 60's! You won't go wrong by buying this movie. Guaranteed to make you feel good! Also, do yourself a favor and get the soundtrack CD. It's fantastic!

I just love this movie. It is a feel good story, and the music takes you back to yesterday when groups sang in harmony, and looked to be discovered. The movie has a wonderful cast, and Armand Assante gives a moving performance in this story. It is one I would view over and over again. The story is wonderful, and the music is great. Please don't miss this movie.