Critic Reviews

• Sean O'Connell, Washington Post

  A routine music business cautionary tale, the film shuffles its decks ever so slightly by casting a Latino actress as its lead, but doesn't do enough to shed the exasperating confines of the star-is-born genre.

• Aaron Hillis, Village Voice

  More heartfelt, humanistic, and entertaining than such a clichéd showbiz cautionary tale has any right to be.

• Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times

  Almost despite our will, the cast keeps us invested in Filly's furious resurrection.

• Claudia Puig, USA Today

  Unfortunately, the film is marred by a story, situations and stereotypical characters that strike all-too-familiar chords.

• Robert Koehler, Variety

  A trite piece of storytelling, with character development and plot points that feel not so much lived in as borrowed from other movies.

• David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter

  Gina Rodriguez's magnetic star turn keeps this often overwrought film engaging, even when the script lets her down.

• Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

  However much earnest commitment and passion that the cast lend to their roles, it ultimately cannot overcome the routine structure and approach to the overall execution.

• Annlee Ellingson, Paste Magazine

  The movie works best as a showcase for Rodriguez, transcending its simplistic script and clichéd plot in snatches -- when its leading lady is at the mike and especially in the film's final awkward family reunion.

• Louis Black, Austin Chronicle

  Sure, we've all seen this story before, but that doesn't hamper this film from being enormously entertaining, with riveting performances, great beats, and poetic rhymes.

• S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media

  Young hip-hop artist sacrifices her true identity for fame.

• Roger Moore, Movie Nation

  A traditional make-your-way-into-the-music-biz drama with lots of Latin-flavored grit and gravitas.

Read all 11 critic reviews