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Downtown Express

Play trailer Poster for Downtown Express 2011 1h 30m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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55% Tomatometer 11 Reviews Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
As an important recital draws near, a Russian violin student (Philippe Quint) at Juilliard becomes torn between two worlds when he falls in love with a New York street musician (Nellie McKay).

Critics Reviews

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Sheri Linden Los Angeles Times 08/23/2012
2.5/5
The unconvincing but gently spirited "Jazz Singer" update features accomplished musicians in the lead roles; the treat is their playing, not their acting. Go to Full Review Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News 04/20/2012
3/5
Everyone seems so genuinely excited to be sharing their music on film that the entire experience becomes a joyful alliance between audience and actors. Go to Full Review Frank Scheck The Hollywood Reporter 04/19/2012
The film may be hopelessly old-fashioned, but it's hard to entirely resist its portrait of a city that not only never sleeps but also seems to be bursting with melody at every turn. Go to Full Review Brent Simon Shockya.com 09/26/2012
C
Marked by wide-eyed charm, though not particularly adroit -- a marginal pan, owing to its somewhat lazy and functional narrative. Still, its music, from Philippe Quint and Nellie McKay, absolutely sings. Go to Full Review Eric Monder Film Journal International 04/26/2012
"Tchaikovsky must be grabbed by the throat or it becomes sentimental," declares the paterfamilias in Downtown Express, but the character could be critiquing the very movie in which finds himself. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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02/15/2018 looks very promising! See more 04/26/2012 Unfortunately, I kept comparing it to the movie Once and found it wanting. The pop music did not come anywhere close and the story was not as interestingly told. But the street music and the classical music were wonderful as were the performances of Philippe Quint and Michael Cumpsty. See more Read all reviews
Downtown Express

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Cast & Crew

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David Grubin

Director

Philippe Quint

Sasha

Nellie McKay

Ramona

Michael Cumpsty

Vadim

Carolyn McCormick

Marie

Ashley Springer

Arkady

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Downtown Express

Downtown Express (2011) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis As an important recital draws near, a Russian violin student (Philippe Quint) at Juilliard becomes torn between two worlds when he falls in love with a New York street musician (Nellie McKay).
Director
David Grubin
Producer
David Grubin, Michael Hausman
Screenwriter
David Grubin, Kathleen Cahill
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Box Office (Gross USA)
$3.5K
Runtime
1h 30m