The High Note is the story of Maggie (Dakota Johnson), an overworked personal assistant who has a decision to make. A choice about what she wants her future to look like, and her vision involves her superstar singer boss, Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross).

Directed by Nisha Ganatra; The High Note is for me, at best an OK film that I found more enjoyable from around the one hour point. Before then, though still watchable, Ganatra’s movie seemed to have a missing piece. It didn’t help that I wasn’t overly enthused by the songs featured as the ones that made Davis successful. A truth that unfortunately made me buy into the whole ‘Grace Davis as a singing superstar’ premise that little bit less. 

Luckily, as is often the case with non biographical music films, the best songs were saved for towards the end. Songs that in my opinion fit Ellis Ross’s singing voice and or my music tastes that much more than the earlier ones.

Unexpectedly, the singing I ended up enjoyed the most in The High Note comes courtesy of Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s character, David. Assuming it’s Harrison Jr. who’s actually singing, let’s just say I’m ready to hear his voice on a full album and you just might too.

All the music aside, I enjoyed the performances in Ganatra’s film. Though it’s not perfect and it all seemed to end a tad abruptly, I don’t regret watching the story of young Maggie’s challenging journey to her ideal job; one that includes a sprinkling of romance, some funny moments and an unexpected friendship.

One last very random thing, The High Note happens to be the second movie I’ve now seen where Johnson is sporting a beautiful brown suede jacket. The first was Bad Times at the El Royale (2018). I guess it’s safe to say that I officially have a thing for brown fringed suede jackets. Especially the one in the latter film.

Watch it if you’re curious.

Happy Film Loving 

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