Be Somebody – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

Overview

In what seems like a Justin Bieber fan-fic, you surprisingly get a cute little love story. One which benefits more so from the chemistry of the leads than the dialog and journey the two take however.

Rating:
TV Viewing

Characters Worth Noting

Jordan Jaye (Matthew Espinosa) & Emily Lowe (Sarah Jeffery)

Main Storyline (with Commentary)

Jordan is basically like Justin Bieber before everyone began to collectively agree, this kid seems like a douchebag. He is sweet, wholesome, seems like an everyday kid whose dream came true. However, the different between Jordan and Bieber is Jordan started his career at 8, his mom-ager seems to more be focused on his success than him the person, and it Jordan, even when being cute with Emily, there is this touch of loneliness.

Which is perhaps why Emily comes to like him. Yes, he is famous and comes off pompous at first, but he slowly evolves. He does make fun of her being a pizza delivery girl slightly, as he begs her to help him escape his life for a few days, but without her checking him, he tones and down. He comes to like this artist who is saving for an art school who takes in a technical stranger and lets him sleep on her floor. A guy she takes bowling, hangs out with, and even lets him meet her parents. All the while, he is sharing about the pangs of success which goes from a dream to just being part of a machine you feel you lack control of. Which, to be honest, doesn’t necessarily make you feel bad for him, but you won’t necessarily think Jordan is unappreciative.

But in the end, what will keep you watching this is because Espinosa and Jeffrey just have good chemistry. Like, the type of chemistry that you don’t often find in romantic films because they are just about two attractive and famous people being paired up. Which is why this was marked TV Viewing. For while the story has clichés and seems like a fanfic turned movie, it can still make you swoon a little bit.

Review Summary

Highlights

The chemistry between Espinosa and Jeffrey makes me hope that FreeForm, because where else would a teen romantic drama happen, finds a show for these two to be cute on every week. Like, a part of me almost wanted to squeal, similar to how the teenaged girls do whenever I see a John Green movie, when it came to when they almost kissed.

Honestly, as much as this seemed like a Bieber fanfic, taking note I don’t know Justin Bieber’s full life story, it was better than expected. Emily’s story more so than Jordan’s, since she has her art thing, insecurities, this odd bi-racial family, and her pseudo-issues with her former best friend.

Low Points

There were a lot of clichés in this film. Be it the best friend who decided to dump the lead to become popular, or your usual, “time to pop the bubble” when things started to get a little too deep and the romance seemed to be emerging from a dream and into reality.

Though romance is probably a stronger focus than our leads growing, there is still some growth in terms of each one gaining confidence and becoming more sure of themselves. However, we don’t really get to know if Jordan gets more control over his art.

On The Fence

Granted, making a celebrity’s life something less than glamorous, and making you feel bad and even weep for them can be hard. However, I do feel there were times that any sympathy created was solely due to what Espinosa was saying more than his acting talent. But, then again, it isn’t like this script was an emotional rollercoaster. For, just to bring up family issues, while Emily has a family which works too much and seems to ignore her, for Jordan his mom is straight up mom-ager and he doesn’t get the reconciliation with his mom, or better relationship, that Emily gets. Pretty much she learns the boy is ok and after that, she disappears.