As the world’s most avid movie musical fan, I’m always excited when a new one gets released. I usually enjoy watching the singing and dancing on screen, even if those two elements overpower the story. So, of course, I was looking forward to Hello Again, a film musical with a host of wonderful actors, including Audra McDonald, Martha Plimpton, Rumer Willis, Sam Underwood, T. R. Knight, Cheyenne Jackson and more. Unfortunately, this musical left me very disappointed.

Directed by Tom Gustafson (Mariachi Gringo), the movie contains ten different segments, each one taking place in New York during a different time period. All of the vignettes boast a similar theme about sex, loneliness, longing and love experienced by a diverse group of couples living in the 1900s . Even though the theme is similar, this unusual motion picture comes across as disjointed. And there’s only one musical number from the entire movie that I felt like applauding. Unfortunately, wonderful five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald and her gorgeous rendition of “Beyond the Moon” could not save this musical adaptation of the acclaimed stage presentation written by Michael John La Chiusa.

Nevertheless, kudos to cinematographer Austin F. Schmidt (Hurricane Bianca) and costume designer Rebecca Luke (What Happened, Miss Simone?), for their artistry. Their work definitely helps create the feel and atmosphere of various time periods depicted in Hello Again. Plus, the production, art decoration and make-up crew members deserve recognition for a job well done.           

Musicals mean so much to me.

They’re magical for us to see.

“Hello Again” I’m sad to say

just did not make me feel that way.

Singing abounds by short and tall

while not much dance appears at all.

Ten vignettes deal with love and lust.

But most of them end up a bust.

It seems desire to have and hold

becomes the message to be told.

The actors sing their roles with ease

despite a plot that fails to please.

Still, Audra is a real standout.

Her blue moon bit deserves a shout!

I hate to write bad news and such.

But this film lacks that magic touch.

    Life at best is bittersweet. --- Jack Kirby

Only the young and stupid are confident about sex and romance. --- Elizabeth Gilbert

Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for. --- Bob Marley

(Released by Screenvision. Not rated by MPAA.)

For more information about Hello Again, go to the IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes website.