It makes sense that when the decision was made to turn the West End musical “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” into a feature film, the show’s core creative team was given the reigns.
That is despite the fact that this movie — a coming-of-age tale about a teen who dreams of becoming a drag queen, which debuts this week on Amazon’s Prime Video streaming platform — would be the feature-film debuts for writer and lyricist Tom MacRae, composer Dan Gillespie Sells and director Jonathan Butterell.
What is, perhaps, a surprise is the cinematic endeavor did not bring over a stage actor from one of the show’s productions to portray the titular protagonist, such as John McCrea, who won awards for his portrayal in London and now can be seen as Artie in the Disney movie “Cruella.”
Instead, producers tapped a newcomer, Max Harwood, as Jamie New.
Harwood’s casting came after months in which traditional methods failed to unearth the right performer. And even after he was discovered via social media, the young man from Basingstoke, U.K., had to best five other finalists called back to work with the filmmakers for a bit.
However long it ultimately took them, the casting folks nailed this one.
At least on the screen, “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” isn’t an undeniably brilliant musical. However, it is as enjoyable and as impactful as it is — especially in key moments — in no small thanks to Harwood, who has a certain magnetism on screen.
His Jamie isn’t like the other boys at his high school in Sheffield, England. He’s openly gay, and the backpack he wears out isn’t exactly masculine — and neither is the tiara he dons inside the house he shares with his devoted and loving mother, Margaret (a so-so Sarah Lancashire).
He has a best friend in a kind, hijab-wearing Muslim girl, Pritti (Lauren Patel, another newcomer), who, like Jamie, is bullied for her differences by some classmates, most notably Dean (Samuel Bottomley of “Get Duked!”).
Meanwhile, while she shows compassion to him, teacher and career advisor Miss Hedge (Sharon Horgan of “Catastrophe”) would like him to conform — at times for what she sees as his own benefit and at others for his fellow students.
But the figure in Jamie’s life who may truly stand in the way of him finding happiness is his unsupportive father, Wayne (an effective Ralph Ineson of “The Witch” and “Chernobyl”), who always wanted what he considers a normal son. Jamie holds out hope his dad will recommit to being in his life, and Margaret — doing what she thinks is best for her son — hides the truth from him. (If you need further evidence she loves Jamie as he is, she buys him the expensive sparkling red high-heel shoes for which he’s been pining.)
The shoes aren’t enough, though. Jamie decides what he wants to be is a “fierce” drag queen — and he’s mentored by local shopkeeper Hugo Battersby, who used to be known for his drag-queen alter ego, Loco Chanelle. After getting an intoxicating taste of that world, Jamie also decides he (gasp) will wear a dress to prom.
“Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” was inspired by the 2011 TV documentary “Jamie: Drag Queen at 16,” about an English boy named Jamie Campbell. That helps to explain why, despite its characters breaking into elaborate song-and-dance numbers — choreographed by Kate Prince, who, yes, comes over from the stage musical — the movie feels rooted in reality. Jamie’s aspirations are attainable, if not easily so.
Although the film’s collection of songs is perfectly enjoyable, none feels like the kind tune you’ll be singing for days. (You especially want a bit more from Pritti’s tender “It Means Beautiful,” which you suspect could be more moving if sung by a person with a bit more vocal talent than that of the nonetheless appealing Patel.) In general, however, the musical numbers do help propel the story.
The only actor other than Harwood who truly moves the needle is the always excellent Grant (“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me”). We get some flashbacks that flesh out his character, and be it in those or the present-day storyline, he helps to ensure Hugo/Loco is the whole package — compassionate, sarcastic, encouraging and, sadly, heartbroken.
In the film’s production notes, Sells helps to crystallize why Jamie New feels like an at least unusual, if not truly unique protagonist.
“It’s someone who is overcoming the odds to find themselves, to reach some difficult goal,” says Sells. “We don’t tell many stories about effeminate men or boys. We don’t tell stories about them as the hero.”
Even though Jamie can lash out at those who love him, as young, emotionally charged people have a way of doing, you can’t help but root for him, thanks partially to Harwood. We’ll look for more work from the talented actor down the road.
How deeply “Jamie” gets its hooks into you will depend in part on your social views and the life experiences you bring into viewing it. Regardless, expect at least the film’s climactic moment — predictable as it may be — to give you a case of the feels.
‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’
Where: Prime Video.
When: Sept. 17.
Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements, strong language, and suggestive material.
Runtime: 2 hours.
Stars (of four): 2.5.