Undiscovered

Set in the world of up-and-coming artists, UNDISCOVERED is a heartfelt and comic film that tells the story of an aspiring model who falls in love with a struggling musician when they suddenly cross paths on a NY subway train. Having achieved success as a NY model, Brier (James) decides to move to L.A. to launch an acting career. With the support of her acerbic agent and sometimes surrogate mom, Carrie (Fisher), Brier lands a spot in a highly sought after acting class where she befriends another would-be actress, Clea (Simpson). While out on the town discovering the music scene, Brier again crosses paths with Luke (Strait), a singer/songwriter who has been toiling for years without a record deal. Brier and Clea decide to help Luke and unbeknownst to him, they set out to create some L.A. style hype to get him noticed. As Luke’s profile rises, so do the demands of his budding new career. When Luke and Brier can’t hide the spark that was always there, they both discover that the price of fame may be higher than anyone expected.

Forging love out of the cutthroat entertainment industry is the theme of this MTV-style feature film starring Ashlee Simpson in a supporting role. Pell James plays aspiring actress Brier Tucket who falls for fledgling songwriter Luke Falcon (Steven Strait) in a fleeting moment of New York subway chaos. Fate reunites them in Los Angeles where their friendship deepens as they struggle to establish careers in an industry known for fraud, favors, and elusive fame. Simpson steps up to the microphone for a couple of breathy ballads, yet her acting is wholly forgettable as the one-dimensional Clea. More noteworthy are the standout performances by Kip Pardue, as Luke's wacky brother Euan; and Carrie Fisher, who adds panache as Brier's acerbic agent. Originally titled "Wannabe," the movie was renamed Undiscovered to spotlight Simpson’s song of the same name--and the film's soundtrack is decent--yet no amount of music will prop up the story's overall flimsiness despite the intentions of veteran music video director Meiert Avis. Rated PG-13 for sexual and drug content and partial nudity. --Lynn Gibson