Bonus Track

Julia Jackman's 2024 British film follows George, sixteen and convinced he will be a musician, in the early 2000s. The son of a famous musical couple arrives at his school; the two boys start rehearsing for a talent show and the friendship turns into something else. The tone is light and nostalgic, with the music and technology of the period built in detail. What makes it interesting is presenting first love as a discovery rather than a crisis, with nobody making a drama of it. Joe Anders and Samuel Small work naturally together. The story stays close to its template and the final section is predictable. Who it's for: viewers who like British teen comedy and music-themed films. Who it's not for: anyone wanting a story outside the template, or who will find the nostalgic register excessive.