Looking for an Echo (2000)

Director:

Martin Davidson

Writers (WGA):

Jeffrey Goldenberg (written by) &
Robert Held (written by) ...

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

We were looking for an echo, An answer to our sound, A place to be in harmony, A place we almost found. - Vinnie and the Dreamers

Plot:

The lead singer of an oldies group reminisces about the good ol' days and a potential comeback. |

Plot Keywords:

Leukemia | Doo Wop | Independent Film

Cast

Armand Assante	...	Vince 'Vinnie' Pirelli
Diane Venora	...	Joanne Delgado
Tom Mason	...	Augustus 'Augie' MacAnnally III
Anthony John Denison	...	Ray 'Nappy' Napolitano (as Tony Denison)
Johnny Williams	...	Phil 'Pooch' Puccirelli
Edoardo Ballerini	...	Anthony Pirelli
Christy Carlson Romano	...	Tina Pirelli
David Vadim	...	Tommie Pirelli
Monica Trombetta	...	Francine Pirelli
David Margulies	...	Dr. Ludwig
Paz de la Huerta	...	Nicole Delgado (as Paz De La Huerta)
Ilana Levine	...	Sandi (Vic's Date)
Gena Scriva	...	Arlene (Blonde at Bar)
Gayle Scott	...	Renee (Brunette at Bar)
Cleveland Still	...	Singer on Bus

MPAA:

Rated R for language.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

Company:

Echo Productions

Worth a Watch and...a Hear!

I totally agree with what the only other reviewer of this film has commented. Indeed, the lack of comments, though no fault of the film itself, is a comment on its own. Maybe the distributors of this film went somewhere awry while marketing it, because I thought it was a really decent film, with some good acting that would have certainly garnered more audience, not to mention, appreciation. Armand Assante seemed as much at home in his character as if he had always been a chart-topping singer(albeit a one-hit wonder) in his heydays. Credit also goes to the director Martin Davidson who, I can say, managed convincingly to create the whole set-up - Vince, his fellow-crooners and their issues, Vince and his daughter and her evident problem and Vince and his son Anthony and the conflict therein. I have long admired Davidson's 1989 film 'Heart of Dixie'. It had some marvelous performances by Ally Sheedy and Treat Williams and the 1960s American South was evoked in all its pathetic beauty.

The music of this film is certainly one of its attractions. Little snippets of songs, apparently sung by Vinnie and the Dreamers are played at the right moments to enhance the film's aura. Diane Venora's performance was aptly charged. And so was Edoardo Ballerini's. His scene with Assante in the hospital where the latter breaks down is the emotional tear-point of the film(both for the characters and the audience). The other high point is of course Anthony's solo of 'This I Swear'. If that was Ballerini's own voice up there, then boy, he should think of a probable career switch! The only other film I've seen Edoardo in is in the zany John Leguizamo-starrer 'The Pest' in which he convincingly put on a German accent(adding much to the humor of the film) to play Himmel, the "sissy" son of a crazed neo-Nazi! He's an actor of great potential - which I hope is fittingly explored through many other good roles. With its music, a cast that has rendered good performances and a feel-good ending, 'Looking For an Echo' is definitely worth a watch.