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Teen romance with a dollop of indie

After a meet-cute on New York's F train, struggling songwriter Luke Falcon (Steven Strait) heads for Los Angeles. Brier Tucket (Pell James), the stranger in the red coat he locked eyes with through the closing subway door, makes it to the coast, too - two years later. At a club where's he's emo-ing mightily at the piano and she's in a booth with her acting-class friends, their eyes lock again. It's love at first sight, or, OK, second sighting, but can it survive the pressures and pains of rock stardom and international modeling assignments?

    by Steven Rea, INQUIRER MOVIE CRITIC
    Published 

After a meet-cute on New York's F train, struggling songwriter Luke Falcon (Steven Strait) heads for Los Angeles. Brier Tucket (Pell James), the stranger in the red coat he locked eyes with through the closing subway door, makes it to the coast, too - two years later.

At a club where's he's emo-ing mightily at the piano and she's in a booth with her acting-class friends, their eyes lock again. It's love at first sight, or, OK, second sighting, but can it survive the pressures and pains of rock stardom and international modeling assignments?

That's the big question in Undiscovered, an enjoyably cheesy teen melodrama with a touch of indie edge. Featuring Ashlee Simpson in a supporting role as a hipster thespian-songstress (yes, she sings) and cameos from Carrie Fisher (modeling-agency mother hen), Fisher Stevens (music-mogul parody), and Peter Weller (Hemingway-quoting cool guy), the obstacle-strewn romance from videomaker-turned-director Meiert Avis is like a Hilary Duff flick without the Duffer.

In lieu of the 'tween pop idol, Undiscovered stars the reedy James, who has lovely moles and must convey all sorts of angst as she struggles not to fall for Luke - because once he's famous, he'll be swarmed by groupies and parasites. Strait, who wears his hair in a ponytail and his pecs in proud prominence (he has more cleavage than James), radiates hunky earnestness - and sings the songs, which aren't half bad.

Shannyn Sossamon vamps it up as a Brazilian hellcat brought on board to create some "buzz" for Luke, and Simpson is sweet and wool-cappy as Luke and Brier's best friend. She brings the two together, and then looks on with a mopey twinkle in her eye.

Contact movie critic Steven Rea

at 215-854-5629 or srea@phillynews.com.

Undiscovered

** 1/2 (out of four stars)

Written by John Galt, directed by Meiert Avis. With Pell James, Steven Strait and Ashlee Simpson.

Running time: 1 hour, 37 mins.

Parent's guide: PG-13 (profanity, drugs, sex, adult themes)

Playing at: area theaters