Watch Ovation!

Ovation! is a drama film from 2015 that follows the story of Maggie Chase, a talented actress who dreams of making it big on Broadway. The movie opens with Maggie auditioning for a role in a play directed by celebrated theater director Timothy Mallory. Despite her impressive talent, Maggie is rejected by Mallory, who prefers to cast his longtime muse, Serena Sennett, in the lead role.

Undeterred, Maggie perseveres and continues to audition for various roles in different plays. One day, she meets up-and-coming actor, Ian Browning, and the two strike up a friendship. Ian introduces her to his friend, Spencer Hill, who has recently written a new play called "The Haunted Heart."

Maggie, Ian, and Spencer decide to put on a production of "The Haunted Heart" in a small theater. They work tirelessly on the play, pouring their hearts and souls into their characters, and rehearsing day and night. As the opening night approaches, tensions rise between the cast and crew, and Maggie begins to question whether she has what it takes to make it as a Broadway star.

Meanwhile, Timothy Mallory hears about the production of "The Haunted Heart" and decides to attend the opening night. When he sees Maggie's raw talent and emotional depth in her performance, he realizes his mistake in rejecting her and offers her the lead role in his next play.

Maggie is ecstatic at the offer and accepts it, but it also means leaving behind her newfound friends and the small theater where she's found a family. The movie ends on a bittersweet note as Maggie says goodbye to Ian and Spencer, and leaves to star in Mallory's play.

Overall, Ovation! is a heartwarming and inspiring movie that celebrates the power of perseverance and the importance of following your dreams. The film is elevated by its strong performances, particularly by Tanna Frederick as Maggie, who brings an authenticity and vulnerability to the character. James Denton and Stephanie Fredricks also deliver solid performances as Ian and Spencer respectively.

The movie's themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the pursuit of artistic excellence are universal and will resonate with audiences of all ages. The cinematography by Oktay Ortabasi is equally impressive, capturing the gritty yet glamorous world of New York City theater.

One criticism of the movie may lie in its predictability; the plot is fairly formulaic, and anyone familiar with the underdog-success-story genre will be able to predict the general trajectory of the story. However, the film compensates for this by focusing on character development and emotional depth, rather than relying solely on plot twists.

In summary, Ovation! is a must-watch for anyone who loves theater, or anyone who has ever had a dream and worked tirelessly to achieve it. It is a testament to the power of hard work, determination and believing in yourself, and a reminder that sometimes, the greatest rewards come from the unlikeliest places.

Ovation! is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.