LIFE FINE TUNED

LIFE FINE TUNED is supposed to be a showcase for neophyte actors who’ve never done anything in the entertainment industry before. Actually, it’s more than that. It’s a winsome story about a pop star who finds out her life is not in tune until she understands the Master’s touch.

Star, the young pop star, throws a temper tantrum when she thinks her manager, Mac, is trying to replace her. She leaves the rehearsals and ends up getting stuck in a small town in rural Virginia. Her manager, meanwhile, figures out how to get a terrific dancer to take over Star’s role and, through a little bit of CGI magic, replace Star in a concert. Meanwhile, Star’s car is broken down, and she gets taken in by a church family. These are all homeschoolers with strong faith and values.

Just as Star’s starting to understand that she needs to get her life in order, she throws another tantrum and gets into a serious wreck. In the hospital, it’s determined her vocal chords and legs are both affected by the accident. The question is, will she get her life together and will she look to the Master, Jesus Christ, to fine tune her life.

LIFE FINE TURNED has a lot going for it. Despite some flaws, it’s entertaining and has some good storytelling. Regrettably, the acting is often embarrassingly over the top. Also, some of the dialogue is static and unnatural. However, this is one of those movies where the plot carries the movie. Thus, it has won an award and makes for enjoyable viewing.

The filmmaker, Nina May, writes:

“Would it be possible in the review to blame me, as the director, and not [the actors] … since for many of them it was an answer to prayer to be in a wholesome movie, and it has helped many of them find more work. It really did help jumpstart their career, which was the purpose. I tell people it is like a 90 minute screen test, and that it is sort of like American Idol for Christians who want to go into the movie industry.

We shot it all in 22 days with zero budget, and I should have taken more time on each scene to get the best we could, but we were working on an impossible deadline. They all gave their best and only about half want to become actors. The others were just helping out in spots because we were needing more people. (It’s kind of how the Kendrick brothers got their start when they couldn’t act either, but God blessed their efforts).

But, please blame me, and not the kids if their acting is bad. They have their careers ahead of them and I want to support and encourage them anyway I can.”