Mariah Carey surprisingly effective in "Tennessee" (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - It's slightly unfair todescribe "Tennessee," which had its world premiere at therecent Tribeca Film Festival, as the new Mariah Carey movie,but that's the way most people will talk about it.

Carey is not the main character in this story of twobrothers trying to make peace with their past, but her presencewill give this road picture a whole other level of visibility.This is not necessarily a good thing because of Carey'snotorious 2001 bomb "Glitter."

So the first surprise of "Tennessee" is that Carey gives anunderstated and very effective performance. Because her musicalcareer is soaring higher than ever, the timing could be rightto win an audience for this modest rural drama.

The picture has something else going for it: a religiousundercurrent that could resonate in the heartland. Carter (AdamRothenberg) and younger brother Ellis (Ethan Peck) fled anabusive father years ago and are living in New Mexico. But whenEllis is diagnosed with leukemia, they decide to travel back toTennessee to see whether their father might be a match for thebone marrow transplant that Ellis needs. Along the way, theyencounter Carey's Krystal, an aspiring singer who also is avictim of domestic abuse. The journey does not play outpredictably because Ellis has a secret plan that might lead toredemption for the other characters.

The biggest problem with the movie is believing in Ellis'preternatural wisdom. He's a Christlike figure, and you eitherbuy into his saintliness or you don't. But even nonbelieversmight find themselves moved by the film's final scenes. This ispartly a tribute to the performers.

Rothenberg, who's known mainly for his stage work (heplayed Stanley Kowalski to Patricia Clarkson's Blanche in aKennedy Center revival of "A Streetcar Named Desire"), has astrong masculine presence. Peck, the grandson of Gregory Peck,exudes innocence and decency.

Director Aaron Woodley demonstrates visual talent, but thepacing is off, and the movie meanders until it reaches itsunexpectedly powerful conclusion.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter