Danielle MacDonald Sparkles in Showmance Comedy Falling for Figaro

I love opera, romance flicks and Danielle MacDonald, so it suffices to say that Falling for Figaro was a no brainer for me.

Millie (Danielle MacDonald) just about to turn thirty, has just been offered a big promotion.  But to everyone’s surprise, she turns it down to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an opera singer. She hears about the upcoming “Singer of Renown” competition and discovers if she wins, she could land a role with a major opera company.

Leaving her boyfriend Charlie (Shazad Latif) and London behind, she lands an audition with former opera diva Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop (Joanna Lumley).  Taking Millie under her wing for a very strict year-long training in a secluded barn in the Scottish Highlands – no alcohol, no smoking and no visitors allowed.  Enter Max (Hugh Skinner) part-time plumber and cook at the local pub, who also happens to be Meghan’s student, and is also training for the “Singer of Renown” contest.

I loved this premise.  Mostly because who hasn’t been on a job, become attracted to someone you may not have thought about twice simply because you have been placed in circumstances that allow you to see them for who they truly are…vulnerability and all.  It has happens to us all at least once and sometimes these ‘showmance’ can last a lifetime.

Danielle MacDonald sparkles and continues to grab roles that give her a range of human beings to inhabit and that is always exciting for me to watch.  Her portrayal of Millie is not different, as she layers Millie with a quiet, vulnerable sexuality making her strong, independent and making up her own rules of romance without the traditional cinematic happy ending.

Joanna Lumley steals the show as the task master voice coach with much comedy, bluntness and heart within the cut throat world of opera. Director/Writer Ben Lewin created characters and a world that provides the audience with unique, funny and passionate characters who push their way into your heart and envelope the soul.

Produced by IFC Films, Falling For Figaro is in theaters and streaming now.