Glee has a lot to answer for.
With its pop music-fuelled premise and lashings of teen angst, the musical mash-up series has placed adolescents enunciating their feelings through song front and centre in mainstream popular culture. It has also inspired a wealth of imitators, including those that endeavour to transfer the concept to more mature audiences, such as television’s Smash, and now the college-set feature, Pitch Perfect.
Taking its cues from the coming of age comedy, Bring It On, the satire of Best in Show and the cattiness of Mean Girls, this adaptation of Mickey Rapkin’s non-fiction book, Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory, charts the efforts of two rival groups from Barden University: the all-female Bellas, previously humiliated at the last championship bout, and the arrogant, all-male reigning winners, the Treble Makers.
For those unfamiliar with the world of collegiate a capella, Beca (Anna Kendrick, End of Watch) acts as the audience’s guide. Begrudgingly commencing tertiary studies despite music-producing ambitions, she joins the Bellas to please her professor father (John Benjamin Hickey, TV’s The Big C), who promises to support her chosen career if she makes an effort to experience college life. Clashes over song choices with group leader Aubrey (Anna Camp, The Help), and a burgeoning relationship with Treble Maker Jesse (Skylar Astin, Wreck-It Ralph) soon follow, as Beca’s involvement takes on a serious side.
With clichés abounding in subplots predicated upon acceptance and belonging, Pitch Perfect makes no attempt to present a substantial view on the topic. Instead, director Jason Moore (TV’s Brothers and Sisters) presents Kay Cannon’s (30 Rock) sassy script with the utmost of vitality, with the ultimate aim seemingly to ensure that viewers have fun. The cavalcade of recognisable tunes aids in that regard, providing the film with an upbeat sense of spirit. However, it is its sense of humour that truly shines, with laughs not only frequent but genuine.
From the apparent parody of the underlying premise to the exaggerated yet believable characters (a scene-stealing turn from What to Expect When You’re Expecting’s Rebel Wilson among them), and including a loving tribute to the oeuvre of John Hughes, the feature is unafraid to earn its amusement with affection. That it does so while feeling fresh is an achievement; while still steeped in inescapable convention, the irreverent, energetic and entertaining film could certainly teach its predecessors a thing or two.
Pitch Perfect
Director: Jason Moore
USA, 2012, 112 min
In cinemas December 6
Distributor: Universal
Rated M
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