by Henry Pham
This is one of those films where you need to be careful what you wish for, or what you dream for. Even though it’s a movie released on a streaming service, it definitely goes right up my alley as a former violinist who chose to study film and animation. Strung centers on a talented violinist, Laila, who takes a prestigious job as a music tutor for the gifted daughter of an influential and enigmatic family. As she becomes entangled in their opulent world, however, unsettling secrets begin to surface, forcing her to question her safety, her dreams, and even her sanity.
Chloe Bailey, known for her role on Freeform’s Grown-ish and as the older sister of Halle Bailey, leads as Laila, a talented violinist and orchestra tutor. As a singer-songwriter, Bailey brings her musical expertise to the film, showcasing endurance and resilience in her portrayal. Notably, she focuses solely on violin performance rather than singing. The supporting cast, including Lynn Whitfield (HBO’s The Josephine Baker Story), Lucien Laviscount (Netflix’s Emily in Paris), Anna Diop (DC’s Titans), Coco Jones (Disney Channel’s Let It Shine), and Romy Woods, delivers adequate performances, though their character development could be stronger.
Produced by Tyler Perry and Jason Blum, the film is directed by Malcolm D. Lee, known for directing Girls Trip, Night School, and Space Jam: A New Legacy. While the film attempts to build suspense, the thriller elements are ineffective, and the slow pacing reduces engagement. Rather than delivering a compelling mystery, the narrative shifts between rushed and drawn-out drama. The film lacks the expected intensity of a thriller until late in the story. Alan B. McElroy’s script offers little originality, and the ending is predictable. Overall, Malcolm D. Lee and his team are trying to offer a decent piece for his fans, Tyler Perry fans, and those in the music-studying fields.
As a former violinist myself, I find this piece very interesting to watch, and I bet many orchestra musicians and string players would take a look at this film to see what they think. But it turns out, it’s a disappointment, but not entirely terrible. I apologize for saying this, but I don’t think this would be a good selection for all, especially orchestra students, teachers, and conductors. Although Strung carries the fun tune, the story falls flat in this psychological thriller. However, the only good parts about his film are Chloe Bailey’s performance and her violin scenes. It clocks in at two hours and is up on Peacock, a streaming service that houses Universal Pictures films.
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