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Sing Now or Forever Hold Your Peace Film Review

by Kam Williams

A Cappella College Group Reunites for Wedding in Midlife Crisis Comedy

It's been 15 years since seven, sarcastic smart alecks have harmonized in an a college cappella group. Now in their thirties with relationships failing, dreams diminishing, hairlines receding and temples graying, these mostly melancholy males find themselves in full-blown midlife crises. They all jump at the invitation to attend and perform at the wedding of former classmate Greg (Mark Feuerstein) who is getting set to tie the knot with Kate (Tara Magalski) out in the Hamptons on Long Island.

But rather than see the reunion as a chance for a little nostalgia and to lend their talents to the lucky couple, these spoiled lads use the long weekend as a male-bonding opportunity during which they vent about everything that's wrong with their lives and the world.

Each member of the ensemble is extraordinarily annoying, starting with Richard (Reg Rogers), a lawyer we meet berating a homeless beggar with "Get a job!" The uniformly flip dialogue reads as if the scriptwriter was too lazy to differentiate his leads from one another. They all have that David Spade "I'm too cool for the room" air about them.

While a certain teenybopper demographic might find their narcissistic attitudes and infantile antics appealing, it's likely to grate on adults. With none exhibiting a whit of vulnerability, one rapidly loses interest in these insufferable jerks except when they're crooning classics like "the More I See You" and "Take Me Home." Regrettably, those delightful musical interludes arrive far too infrequently and last too briefly to make up for the rest of this overplotted test of patience.

A transparent Big Chill rip-off where all the soap opera's characters share the same toxic personality. Jumpin' Jehosaphat!

Fair (1 star)
Unrated
Running time: 94 minutes
Studio: Strand Releasing

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