Directed by Jonathan Butterell
Starring Max Harwood, Sarah Lancashire, Lauren Patel, Shobna Gulati, Ralph Ineson, Adeel Akhtar, Samuel Bottomley, with Sharon Horgan and Richard E. Grant
Plot: Feature film adaptation of the musical about a teenager from Sheffield, England who wants to be a drag queen.

Available on Prime Video on September 17, 2021

We all know I am a big fan of going into films blind and I did that with the brand new Amazon Original Film, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. A truly inspirational story about a teenager from Sheffield, England, who wants to be a drag queen. The film is based on the award-winning musical.

The artistic craft of this film truly sets itself apart from other movies like this, from the vibrant colors to the catchy tunes to the crafty camera work throughout by Jonathan Butterell. We witness this story come to life in a way that was a breath of fresh air.

We see the film debut by our lead Max Harwood, who plays Jamie and his co-star Lauren Patel who plays Pritti, both of which steal the show on several scenes, whether it was their dynamic on-screen chemistry or their majestic like voices, they were a force to be reckoned with in the movie.

The evolution of Jamie throughout the film sees Max Harwood become a star in front of our eyes. As each act progressed, you see the growth in the story of Jamie and the development of the confidence that Max has in the role. It was remarkable to watch and I believe this is only the beginning for Max in this medium.

The story is inspirational, moving, powerful and brilliantly laid out by director Jonathan Butterell. When you see this story unfold, you can’t help but understand that his task wasn’t easy. It’s far from a simplistic story and it had to be told sensitively but also powerfully that we needed to relate to the story of Jamie. Butterell nails this project.

The Verdict: A-

I had the pleasure of attending the press junket to talk to the trio and they were terrific to chat with. I loved picking Jonathan’s brain about the project, finding out the story behind Max and Lauren, finding out they got the parts, working with Richard Grant and so much more.

You can also check out my video review of the film here.