One of my favorite movies of any genre. You may be put off at first by the efficient TV movie opening which quickly and perhaps a bit glibly sums up the relationship of a domineering, aristocratic mother and quirky daughter who yearns to break free of her privileged suburban upbringing to become a pop music singer. But hang in there. A few scenes later you realize the rapid pacing and concise storytelling is the director's unusual and apparently risky choice of creating a film in the manner of it's subject: the breezy and innocently naive world of pop music of the late 1950s and early 60s. You will soon become captivated by the plucky "That Girl" adventures of the heiress turned streetwise bubble gum songstress (played to perfection by the creamy, otherworldly Illeana Douglas) as she defers her dreams of pop stardom to write some of the biggest hits of the girl (and boy) group era. The ensemble is brilliant, including the lovably domineering John Tuturro as the Svengali-like visionary producer and the pouty, preening egomaniacal boyfriend and writing partner (Eric Stolz). The rest of the characters are amalgams of many of the legends of 60s pop music our heroine meets on the journey toward finding her own voice. And if any of this seems too familiar, it is loosely based on the amazing life and career of Carole King. In some ways, this is the female bookend to another great, under appreciated movie about pop music of this era, "The Idolmaker." But don't go dismissing this as a "girl's movie," just because it's director Allison Anders is perhaps the finest female auteur in the business. This is a story that crosses sex, age and all other boundaries. For anyone who has ever felt they didn't fit in, who tried to please everyone and played it safe, waiting to follow their own dreams until "the time was right," and then woke up afraid that it was too late ... this is a story for you.And the soundtrack. My God, the soundtrack. Far from parody, slavish recreation or disco-influenced revisionism, Ms. Anders has wisely chosen some of the heavyweights of the era to create pop hits that easily could have been hits on their own merits. The film is chock full of wondrous, alternate universe creations by such composers as Burt Bacharach and King's real-life partner Gerry Goffin, and even one by her daughter Lousie Goffin. This film is a joy from the first frame to the last. More than an homage to an era, it is an important addition to its story."But what if I can't just write another song?" "Keep your eyes and ears open ... everyone is in pain"

I'm surprised by all the gushing reviews. I love love love Ileana Douglas, so I was really looking forward to seeing this. The beginning was quite promising, too, although it's clearly not her singing. At some point, however, the movie just... drifts. I think it may be around the time the Matt Dillon character arrives on the scene. or maye a little earier, when she's w/ the blond guy. Really, once Dillon is in the film, the story no longers focuses on her. In contrast to others' comments on how this shows a woman prevailing, I think this has a strong women who is increasingly overwhelmed by the men in her life; in the end it's even a man who helps her get back on track. Enjoyable couple of hous, but not all that.

This movie is just as good as I remembered it being, and that's saying a lot.So glad I found it here.Thanks, hulu!

I originally thought it was a docudrama, and I guess there is some parallels to Carol King, but what a wonderful movie. I have teared up over the downs of the movie, over and over, and root for Denise/Edna, over and over.

I have adored this movie since the first time I saw it. It is a wonderful tribute to the strength of women throughout the years.

I enjoyed it. watching a woman pass through the many seasons of her life and to come out on the other end whole.