Director:
Mereit Avis

Cast:
Pell James
Steven Strait
Ashlee Simpson
Carrie Fisher

Official URL:

http://www.undiscoveredfilm.com

Country: USA
Rating: PG-13
Studio Name: Lions Gates
Running Time: 2 hr 0 mins
Release Date: August 26, 2005

Critics's Rating:
(2 Reels out of 4) 

August 26, 2005

By Veronica Mixon

The best thing about Undiscovered, a light-weight romantic drama about aspiring actors and musicians in Los Angeles, is the wonderful performance by Ashlee Simpson and her powerful singing. Playing the best friend of the romantic leads, Pell James, a boring blonde model looking to start an acting career and gorgeous Steven Strait, a songwriter and sometime performer, Ashlee quietly delivers a poignant portrayal of a struggling young artist.

When Brier (James) moves from New York to LA to studying acting, she’s reunited with Luke, a handsome stranger that she met briefly on the subway two years ago. Luke is ready to fall in love but Brier resists involvement because she’s still hanging on to an old rock star boyfriend who is touring. “I’m fairly certain that his assistant is answering my emails” she tells her friends and agent, Carrie (Carrie Fisher). Nevertheless, she gets her Carrie to create a buzz around Luke to advance his career and then watch as shady producers (like Steven Fisher) and groupies (like Shannyn Sossamon) vie for his attention. The only person Luke gives short shrift is his loyal brother, fellow musician (Kip Pardue). Luke is actually a one-woman kind of guy and Brier almost misses the boat.

Undiscovered is thin, poorly executed stuff. Most television movies are better than this! However, I did enjoy watching Steven Strait, who has a rock-hard body and handsome face. I hope to be seeing more of him! Veteran actor Peter Weller makes a brief cameo as music guru who recognizes Luke’s talent and Carrie Fisher is quite good as the wise mother-hen agent. But, Ashlee Simpson is the reason to endure this film. She certainly outshines her popular sister, Jessica, who appeared in the soulless “Dukes of Hazard” this summer. Ashlee is fantastic!

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