Other reviews for this movie (from "professional" reviewers) all point out how shallow this movie is when it comes to showing the feelings Paul is having at the various things that happen to him throughout his life. This may very well be the case. But this movie was not made to be a Doctoral Thesis on the effects of bullying. Rather, it was made to show how, once a young man becomes a coward in his youth, it is almost impossible to overcome later in life. The scene in the alley (when the chick comes to his rescue with the guitar) shows how, as an adult, Paul could only get the barest semblance of rage at his life-long tormentor, even though he had all the reason in the world to go ballistic. After losing his voice, he was unwilling to take a chance at being ridiculed by an audience, so he almost didn't even fill-in the form for Britain's Got Talent. He almost didn't go on stage (several times).
There must be a lot of kids getting bullied in England for their love of opera. Just this year, there was another case -- Lucy Kay -- who went through the same torture. She finished second, and has been signed by Simon Cowell personally for one of his labels.
Yes, this movie will not win an Oscar -- or even play in any American theaters -- but you need to see it. If you bullied fellow school mates when you were young, you might want to go find those now-grown-up kids and apologize. If you were bullied, this movie will inspire you.
There must be a lot of kids getting bullied in England for their love of opera. Just this year, there was another case -- Lucy Kay -- who went through the same torture. She finished second, and has been signed by Simon Cowell personally for one of his labels.
Yes, this movie will not win an Oscar -- or even play in any American theaters -- but you need to see it. If you bullied fellow school mates when you were young, you might want to go find those now-grown-up kids and apologize. If you were bullied, this movie will inspire you.