"The One I Wrote For You" is currently streaming on Netflix and has received a four star rating. The film overall had high-quality cinematography, a well-written storyline, and characters full of depth. In addition, the writers utilized common movie themes and added little twists on them. The story is a perfect fit for musicians or anyone who loves dramas filled with emotion.
"The One I Wrote For You" follows the life of Ben Cantor, a musician who forfeited his dream of songwriting after facing some unfortunate circumstances in the music industry. Instead of pursuing his dream job as a songwriter, Ben cares for his family and works as a barista at a local coffee shop, Monterey Coffee. His boss offers him a promotion to manager, but life takes him down an alternate route on an unexpected journey.
A new TV show created specifically for songwriters, "The Song" airs on TV and his daughter, Gracie, enters him in the contest after unveiling a trunk full of unfinished songs her dad wrote. Cantor ends up receiving a call-back and eventually lands a spot as one of the show's top three finalists, facing off against two younger contestants, Rafael Amato and Angel Fender.
Cantor tells his former manager, Mickey, that he will not sacrifice his integrity or appeal to the audience's desires for younger, trendier musicians in order to win the show. However, he becomes obsessed with winning the show to provide for his family. As a result, the gleam of fame blinds Ben and causes him to make a complete 180-degree turn, taking on a completely new identity.
Cantor allows his makeup artists to cover his eyes in purple eye shadow and dress him in clothes suited for a rock musician while he also agrees to cover shoots with groupies for magazines. In addition, Ben lets the fame go completely to his head, making him become spoiled, demanding, and disrespectful to everyone he works with.
This good-boy-turned-bad act seems a little cliche, but I appreciated the way the movie approached it. Most characters like Ben change for their own personal fame, but Cantor sacrificed his personal identity and desired fame solely for his family.
Ben's dad faces a stroke at one point in the movie and his wife, Ailcia, calls him to break the news. However, Ben stays on set for the show's finale instead of visiting his dad. Even though Ben completely changed, this would shock the majority of viewers since he values his family so much. However, Ben actually does not visit his dad because he believes his dad would want him to stay and win the show in order to help his family and make his long-lost dream come true.
The tables finally turn near the film's end. Mickey eventually breaks Ben from his spell and calls him back to reality, reminding that he became exactly the person he did not want to be — someone who sacrificed their integrity and life to become a show puppet. Mickey originally asked Ben to make sacrifices for record deals when he first started as a singer, so it is remarkable to see Ben's influence and how Mickey is the one asking Ben to remember who he truly is.
Ben completely breaks down in one of the show's dressing rooms and walks away from a press conference. After spending time in solitude, he realizes the mistakes he made and seeks to turn them all around. Ben realizes he let his family down and buys a plane ticket for Rafael's mom, who originally could not see her son because she lived in another country.
I really appreciated the film's conclusion. Films like these generally end with the stars becoming famous and completely taking on their new identity. On the other hand, Ben sheds his rock star skin and walks onto stage during the show's finale looking the same as he did in the beginning — clad in flannel, lightly-shaven head, a goatee, blue jeans, and his good ol' acoustic guitar.
The fans were disappointed, as expected, but Ben didn't care. The next thing Ben says almost made me cry. Ben becomes vulnerable and apologizes for the way he treated his band members, for changing who he was, and to his family for letting them down. In addition, he encourages the other two contestants and highlights their strengths.
The movie conveys how fame can blind even the most genuine-hearted people and cause them to do unwise things they believe will benefit the people they love. In addition, nothing should cause an individual to sacrifice their personal integrity or values at any cost.
The movie also demonstrates the strength of family bonds. Ben's father sees him on TV when he makes his big confession and all he showed nothing but pride for his son, even though Ben left him all alone in the hospital. In addition, Ben's wife and daughter forgive him despite his devotion to the show.
Ben realizes he will not generate enough votes to win the show, so he does not stay for the finale and visits his dad instead. He finally reaches his dreams at the end of the movie the right way when a record producer offers him a large cash advance and a duet with popular song artist. Not only is Ben excited, but Alicia and Gracie are proud of him as well. The movie presents a positive message in this scene — those who work hard for their dreams and pursue them the right way will experience success.
