If one's immediate reaction to a TV adaptation of a novel by Britney and Lynne Spears is
dismissive, one would overlook the corny appeal of a well-acted tearjerker about a pop singer
with operatic aspirations. While dispensing drive-through service at a Texas Dairy Princess eatery, teenaged Holly Lovell (Lindsey Haun) daren't think about attending Philadelphia's prestigious Haverty Conservatory of Music. Besides, this small-town gal couldn't bear to be separated from her studly boyfriend, Tyler (Aaron Ashman), and her devoted mother, Wanda (Virginia Madsen). But when Wanda submits a video of Holly warbling "The Yellow Rose of Texas," Haverty's snobbish admissions panel grants Holly a conditional scholarship. Wanda drops her off at the school, where Holly must deal with a lack of technical know-how and the judgmental attitude of professors like Miss Roe (Hollis McLaren). Meanwhile, car trouble and financial woes force Wanda to re-evaluate her return trip. Not only does she land a waitress job in the city but she starts dating a Haverty professor. At her dorm, Holly makes a favorable impression on her sweet, but substance-abusing roommate, Ditz (Jackie Rosenbaum), and catches the eye of a well-connected student Romeo named Grant (Nick Roth).That infatuation annoys star pupil Angela (Barbara Mamabolo), who does her diva-headed best to sabotage Holly's progress. Nor is Holly thrilled about her mom's close proximity after discovering Wanda's place of employment is a popularcampus hang-out. Unless Holly gets her priorities straight, she'll never last as a performer. Can she embrace her humble roots and wow her peers by yodeling some high C's worthy of Beverly
Sills? Visions of FLASHDANCE (1983) and FOOTLOOSE (1984) may run through viewers' brains as they sample this ABC Family telefilm about the little singing engine that could. Although savvy about the story's class distinctions, the script focuses on that pop-vs.-classical premise that's as old as THE JAZZ SINGER (1927). --Robert Pardi
