I Used To Be Famous

 

British writer / director Eddie Sternberg's debut feature film, I Used to Be Famous (streaming on Netflix), is a "love and music heal all wounds" picture about a luckless former boy-band singer named Vince (played by Ed Skrein) who befriends a talented, young autistic drummer named Stevie, the terrific Leo Long, who is an actual neurodiverse performer.

Vince meets Stevie one day as he's noodling with his keyboards on the street, trying to finish a song that he hopes will turn his life around. He doesn't at first realize Stevie is autistic and presses him to join him on a tour of local open-mic venues. Vince is turned away by the boy's protective mother Amber (Eleanor Matsuura) but both Vince and Stevie persist.

The plotting is pretty familiar, i.e., Vince learns important life lessons through his friendship with Stevie, and Stevie's mother begins to see the man her son is determined to become.

It all culminates with a crisis that could change Vince's future but sever his friendship with his young mate. Along the way, the audience is treated to some nifty songs performed by Vince and Stevie, dubbed The Tin Men, and other cast members.

Reviewers have noted with admiration the authenticity of casting a neurodiverse actor in the role of Stevie. Long's performance is strong; his character is the "heartbeat" of this tender film.