Hear My Song

Loosely inspired by events in the life of Irish tenor Josef Locke, Chelsom's first feature is an 'old-fashioned' comedy whose shameless stabs at cockle-warming charm make for a sludge of ingratiating whimsy. Liverpool club owner Micky O'Neill (Dunbar, who co-wrote with Chelsom) is in a fix. His inability to say 'I love you' has provoked a walk-out by his girlfriend Nancy (Fitzgerald), and his ambitious plans to revive the club's fortunes by bringing back tax exile Locke (Beatty) go awry: the singer he has booked is an imposter (Hootkins) who takes advantage of Locke's old flame Cathleen (Field), who happens to be Nancy's mum. Micky's dreams can be fulfilled only if he tracks down the real Locke in Ireland and tempts him to Liverpool for one last concert. It's hard to fathom why this film was received so warmly. Despite Beatty's sterling performance, the overall tone is one of maudlin blarney.