Watch Ambition

Ambition is a drama and thriller movie that was released on January 2019, directed by Robert Shaye and written by John Rocco and Jenna Lyn Wright. The movie's main characters are played by Katherine Hughes, Giles Matthey, and Sonoya Mizuno. The movie's themes are highly relatable and thought-provoking. It touches on the idea of ambition, and the cost of ambition, as well as the dark side of the entertainment industry.

The story begins by introducing Jude Hunter (Katherine Hughes), a young aspiring musician in New York City, who is waiting for her big break. After meeting the famous music producer, Cole (Giles Matthey), she's offered a deal to work with him that's too good to refuse. Excited about the opportunity, Jude begins to work with Cole on the release of her album. Her newfound success pushes her to new heights, and her ambition gets the best of her.

As the story progresses, we see that things are not as they seem. Jude's deal with Cole becomes more and more complicated, and she realizes that the price of her success may be too high to pay. Alongside her, we see her boyfriend, Max (Sonoya Mizuno), who is trying to balance his own ambition with his love for Jude. Max helps Jude maintain her sanity as she's afflicted by the stress of the entertainment industry, which includes constant sleep deprivation and pressure to produce hit after hit.

The movie's themes explore the corrupt and cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry, revealing the various ways that artists can become trapped within it. Through the narrative, we see the effects that fame has on creatives; the intense pressure to produce good music or face the consequences, the constant acts of betrayal, and the uncertain fate that awaits them. The story of Ambition deals with the push and pull between loyalty and ambition and what matters most: the people we love or the things we want.

Throughout the movie, we become privy to the conflicts and anxieties of the main characters. Jude, Max, and Cole are depicted as individuals whose ambitions lead them to make difficult choices. Each character's arc is well-developed, and the conflicts they face are relatable, resulting in the audience being invested in the story. Katherine Hughes’ work as Jude Hunter is lauded for its raw, realistic portrayal of the character's struggles. Her depth of emotion and range of expression helped to imbue the character with a feeling of authenticity that was impossible to ignore.

Giles Matthey provides a standout performance as Cole, the music mogul, using his charisma and charm to craft a portrayal of a man so desperate to hold on to his power that he compromises everything else, including his ethics.

Sonoya Mizuno's work as Max, the hardworking devoted boyfriend to Jude Hunter, is excellent. Excelling in a character category that could easily have fallen into the trap of being an afterthought or caricature, he brings depth to the role, helping to anchor the movie, and providing a much-needed balance to it.

The pacing of the movie, as well as the music, both original and otherwise, greatly contributes to the film's overall impact. The movie's themes are well-developed and explored, and the pace at which the story unfolds is deliberate, allowing the performers and script to shine.

The ending of the movie is not easily predictable and, without divulging too much information, it can be said that it is appropriately ambiguous, reflecting the complexities of human nature and the nature of ambition itself.

Overall, Ambition provides a compelling look at the entertainment industry and the high price of fame, juxtaposed with the personal lives of those who are pursuing it. The performances are spectacular, and the story is engaging, making it a must-watch for anybody who wants to have a glimpse of the often unspoken nature of the music industry.

Ambition is a 2019 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1.