Movie Review: Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross Are Pitch Perfect in "The High Note"

Otherwise, it only hits some of the right notes.

We are all familiar with the reliable plot of a fairy tale. Generally, we witness our hero or heroine attempt to achieve a goal that is seemingly out of their reach, and predictably, they encounter a myriad of obstacles along the way. Of course, this doesn’t really matter because everything works out in the end and they live happily ever after.

While The High Note is certainly endearing, its formula is no different. So, if you were expecting something other than a Hollywood-set fairy tale (maybe a realistic look at the recording industry) you’ll probably find yourself disappointed. On the other hand, if you’re a sucker for big aspirations, a touch of romance and sassy divas, get ready for the time of your life.

Written by Flora Greeson and directed by Nisha Ganatra, who also helmed the Emma Thompson-starring Late Night, the flick follows Maggie Sherwoode (Dakota Johnson), a personal assistant who has hopes of becoming a music producer. She works for the highly successful Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), a bold R&B and pop singer who is struggling to keep her career alive. Grace hasn’t released new music in a decade, and her manager Jack Robertson (Ice Cube) is pushing her toward accepting a Las Vegas residency.

When Maggie suggests what her boss should do next with her career, Jack is far from impressed. So, to prove she’s more than capable of producing, Maggie takes on the talented amateur musician David Cliff (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) as a client.

There are no real surprises in Greeson’s screenplay, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. With the film’s light-hearted tone, it’s still wildly entertaining to watch Maggie push the boundaries and unapologetically assert herself in front of industry professionals. In saying that, it is likely some viewers will find Maggie’s character a bit too idealistic, especially considering she’s a relatively inexperienced music producer. Thankfully, Johnson makes up for what the script lacks, and her natural magnetism brings nuance to her character.

It is when Johnson and Ross share the screen that the film hits all the right notes. Known mostly for her roles in the television series Girlfriends and the award-winning Black-ish, Ross is wholly captivating, sharp-witted and brilliantly stern as Grace. (Audiences can decide for themselves whether Ross has drawn inspiration for her performance from her own superstar mother, Diana Ross.) Ganatra is careful not to portray Grace as the typical diva, and the scenes between Johnson and Ross reveal that the singer’s occasionally demanding nature is a direct result of the intense scrutiny she has faced as an international icon.

That is why it is such a pity that Greeson never delved deeper into the immense pressure Grace faces as a middle-aged woman trying to revitalise her career in a cut-throat industry. "In the history of music, only five women over 40 have ever had a No. 1 hit," she points out to Maggie. "And only one of them was black." It’s a harsh reality and one that evidently plagues Grace. By refusing to fully explore the limitations Grace faces as a middle-aged, black pop diva, The High Note misses a valuable opportunity to add further insight into the music industry and Ross' character.

Fortunately, there are several delightful supporting performances to keep things humming along nicely. Harrison Jr. is utterly charming as the up-and-coming artist, David, and Ice Cube provides the laughs as Grace’s irritable manager. Mooching house-sitter Gail (June Diana Raphael) is also a highlight, and you may even spot unexpected cameos from Eddie Izzard and Diplo as well.

Even so, a romantic subplot distracts from the more compelling love story here: Maggie and Grace. Their complicated female relationship is undoubtedly the real heart of the film. Between stunning shots of LA, swoon-worthy recording sessions and glamorous wardrobes, The High Note is a pleasant diversion. If only it had released just how high it could soar.

3/5