Ok, L. Matlin, I'll grant you sub-par character development and story. But the 20+ R/B numbers either woven into story, or as background, make this worth seeing twice as a MUSICAL. The portrayal of "true grit" of getting anything LIKE what you'd want, as a musician, is TRUE. City scenes show Chicago as an early "location" (and this could be an historical piece on Hollywood moving to the inner city. Anyways, Stony Island first screened (I guess) at the Chicago Film Fest, & I've been looking for it since. Found it w/ help from Facets Multimedia in Chi-town. Plan to show it to groups involved with "de-constructing racism (Unitarian Universalists), homeless providers, & other "closer to the street than most" types.