Better Nate than Ever

Matt Roush says...

A charming wish-fulfillment fantasy for any kid who ever dreamed of Broadway (I relate), this tuneful comedy film introduces the charismatic Rueby Wood as 13-year-old Nate from Pittsburgh, an outlier obsessed with musicals. He gets his shot at the big time when his parents (including Broadway star Norbert Leo Butz—from the original cast of, yes, Wicked) leave town and he hops a bus to Manhattan with his best friend Libby (the appealing Aria Brooks) to audition for a musical version of Lilo & Stitch (Disney synergy alive and well). His misadventures reunite Nate with his aunt Heidi (Lisa Kudrow, marvelous as always), a struggling actress who sees herself in this adorable kid’s ambitions. Tim Federle is director and writer, adapting his own novel.

What's Worth Watching (Apr 1)