Anything But Love

from Film Forum, 11/13/03

Bringing back the style and glamour of '50s–era Technicolor musicals, Anything But Love follows the story of a young cabaret singer with a dream of the big time. Isabel Rose plays Billie Golden, a present–day music lover who wants to return to days gone by in hopes of becoming the next Rita Hayworth. Charmed by a young hotshot (Cameron Bancroft) and then befriended by a talented pianist (Andrew McCarthy), she finds herself torn between love and opportunity.

Gerri Pare (Catholic News Service) says, "The movie's modest charms lie not in the familiar love triangle but in the creative way director Robert Cary has stretched his low–budget film to include fantasy musical sequences and period detail from 50 years ago that make Billie's love of that era so convincing. While the ending is too pat and cuddly, it's hard not to enjoy the plucky spirit of this feel–good movie."

Movieguide's reviewer says it's "not a horrible film," but concludes that it is "easily forgettable, somewhat amateurish, and contains some content for mature audiences."