Once is definitely not enough when it comes to Christopher Walken and a rather charming take on family dysfunction in ONE MORE TIME.
Paul Lombard was a star back in the day. Crooning a-la Sinatra he had hit after hit after hit. But as happens with time, music tastes change and fans disappear. Not content to sit back and watch time pass him by, Paul spends his nights secretly updating his Wikipedia page with more glowing adjectives than stars in the heavens. Ever the egotist, rationalizing all that he does as being for his family, Paul is hot to make a comeback. He has a new song. One he’s written. But other than his wife Lucille, he’s just not getting the familial love and support he thinks he should have. His daughter Jude, an aspiring singer-songwriter -punk rocker who can’t get out of her own way or Paul’s shadow, and who can’t make ends meet singing the occasional jingle, faces eviction, forcing her to move back home with Paul and his wife in the Hamptons. Unfortunately, Jude has always been deemed the black sheep of the family thanks to her free-spirited lifestyle and various addictions, something she blames on her father. On the flip side of the sibling coin is little sister Corrine aka Little Miss Goody Two Shoes. A champion brown-noser, Corrine’s biggest problem is that she feels ignored by Paul as he says she has no talent. She, of course, thinks she does. Adding a little more dysfunction to the familial mix is the fact that Corrine is married to Jude’s ex-boyfriend Tim.
As Paul’s excitement builds on learning not only is his new song going to be released as a single to see where it charts before going all out with an album, thanks to his manager/attorney Alan, he’s booked as the opening act for the Flaming Lips, something Jude belittles at every opportunity, going so far as to call her father a “dancing monkey”, a laughing stock, at the gig. Unapologetic, Paul retorts with an “I know. You think I don’t know that? Who cares?” Priceless in story. Platinum when delivered by Walken.
The identity struggle for each is real, individually and within the family dynamic as a whole; not only for Paul, but Amber and Corrine, as each struggles to come to terms with a kind of familial love not found in a storybook thanks to finding common ground to save their father and his dreams.
Many forget that Christopher Walken is a Broadway singer and dancer but he sure does remind all of just that in ONE MORE TIME. Much akin to Al Pacino’s recent turn in “Danny Collins”, in a perfect role that blends Walken-ese eccentricities with the heart of family, Walken shines as Paul Lombard. This is deadpan comedic Walken-ese at its best.
A perfect foil to Walken is Amber Heard who makes us feel the rapier frustrated love of a daughter for dad. And while not a big fan of her singing, she holds her own. Kelli Garner is snooty sibling perfection as Corrine while Hamish Linklater is puppy dog charming as Tim. Oliver Platt brings his own level of enjoyment to the mix as Paul’s lawyer and manager, Alan, while Ann Magnuson is the overly fawning, prissy Lucille.
Written and directed by Robert Edwards, ONE MORE TIME is charm personified. The family dysfunction and sibling jealousy, while ultimately rallying together for Paul when he gets himself in a sticky situation, is so authentic and so resonant, that it unfolds organically, never feeling forced or scripted. The sibling barbs between Jude and Corrine are terrific and again, resonant to every sibling watching. A welcoming and familiar lyric flow embodies the family dynamic, especially in scenes where all are together.
Lensing is beautiful thanks to cinematographer Anne Etheridge. Clean and simple. The digital polish is perfect as a metaphoric touch to the veneer Paul wants to put on his life. Scott Kuzio’s production design is well done, nicely apportioned.
The music is simply marvelous, particularly the songs for Walken. And make sure you stay through the credits as the end titles are their own little story utilizing play on words of album titles and album cover homages, adding a lovely kitsch touch.
Written and Directed by Robert Edwards
Cast: Christopher Walken, Amber Heard, Hamish Linklater, Kelli Garner, Ann Magnuson, Oliver Platt
