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Romantic drama

The High Note (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The High Note (2020) movie poster

The High Note is a 2020 romantic drama directed by Nisha Ganatra, starring Tracee Ellis Ross as Grace Davis, Dakota Johnson and Kelvin Harrison Jr.. It runs 1 hour 53 minutes and earned $2.2 million worldwide. Critics gave it 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10.

IMDb rating
5.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
71%
worldwide gross
$2.2M
Echo Score
58
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The High Note (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 53m (113 min)
Director
Nisha Ganatra
Genres
Drama , Romance , Music
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The High Note About?

The premise of The High Note without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In the bustling Los Angeles music scene, legendary pop star Grace Davis finds herself at a career crossroads, while her dedicated assistant, Maggie, dreams of becoming a record producer. When an unexpected opportunity presents itself, the two women forge an alliance, navigating the complexities of fame, ambition, and self-discovery. They must overcome personal and professional challenges as they strive to achieve their individual aspirations and redefine their paths in the competitive world of music.

The High Note Themes & Keywords

· 26 tags
  • christmas
  • holiday
  • christmas eve
  • christmas in title
  • holiday in title
  • christmas movie
  • christmas season
  • christmas romance
  • four word title
  • widower single woman relationship
  • father daughter relationship
  • brother sister relationship
+14 more
  • veterinary clinic
  • cafe
  • stray
  • english literature professor
  • singing lessons
  • persistent boyfriend
  • kiss
  • business sold
  • karaoke bar
  • marriage proposal on stage
  • wedding ring stuck on finger
  • christmas pageant
  • speech
  • ends with a kiss
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Cast & crew

The High Note Cast & Characters

Tracee Ellis Ross leads the cast as Grace Davis, with Dakota Johnson as Maggie Sherwoode and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as David Cliff. Directed by Nisha Ganatra; 14 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Nisha Ganatra

More films directed by Nisha Ganatra, best-rated first: Chutney Popcorn, Late Night, Freakier Friday and FUTURESTATES: Code Academy.

Full filmography
Ratings

The High Note Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The High Note 71% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in art & craft (68) and weakest in story & flow (45).

58 /100

The High Note Echo Score Breakdown

The High Note offers light entertainment with a polished aesthetic and standout musical moments, but uneven depth and predictability limit its impact. While critics praise the appealing performances and slick direction, many found the plot implausible and characters underdeveloped. The dialogue fluctuates between clever and shallow, and comedic beats vary in effectiveness. Its escapist charm makes for an agreeable viewing, yet recurring flaws curb lasting engagement.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 68

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents a sleek and professional visual design through glossy cinematography and assured editing. The direction offers consistent framing and a bright color palette that reinforces its upbeat tone. However, it rarely ventures into striking visual originality or bold stylistic choices. The net effect is polished yet familiar.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    In terms of character and emotion, performances exhibit moments of genuine warmth but are constrained by uneven depth across the cast. Dakota Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross deliver restrained but engaging portrayals, while Kelvin Harrison Jr. infuses complexity and intrigue. Conversely, limited thematic exploration and occasional lack of chemistry among leads undercut emotional resonance.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative maintains a brisk pace and delivers light entertainment but leans heavily on predictable tropes. Plot developments often feel implausible, and key twists lack genuine surprise. Although the film sustains momentum through its upbeat tone, recurring clichés and shallow character arcs hinder deeper engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack features occasional standout performances but overall relies on generic cues reminiscent of elevator muzak. Vocal sequences by Ross inject authentic musical energy, yet supporting tracks lack memorable themes. Sound design and mixing are competent but seldom elevate dramatic moments. The result is serviceable audio-visual cohesion with limited distinctiveness.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    In terms of rewatch factor, The High Note offers agreeable, easy viewing but does not reveal substantial new insights on repeat viewings. Its light tone and polished surface provide intermittent enjoyment, yet narrative predictability and underdeveloped themes reduce incentive for multiple viewings. Overall, it functions well as a casual revisit but lacks deeper rewards.

Plot

The High Note Plot Summary

What happens in The High Note from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a realm where enduring talent is frequently eclipsed by momentary fame, Maggie Sherwoode (Dakota Johnson), the dedicated personal assistant to the iconic R&B star Grace Davis (Tracee Ellis Ross), finds herself caught in a dilemma between her loyalty to her esteemed boss and her own artistic ambitions. As an aspiring music producer, Maggie devotes her spare time to reimagining some of Grace’s timeless tracks, blending the essence of the original with her own innovative style.

Full summary

The whole story of The High Note, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The High Note Box Office

The High Note grossed $2.2 million worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$2.2M

International
$2.2M
Videos

The High Note Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer and 6 clips.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Dakota Johnson Sings "They Don't Love You Like I Do"
  • Clip Dakota Johnson Helps Kelvin Harrison Jr. Create Track 8
  • Clip Dakota Johnson & Kelvin Harrison Jr. Hit it Off
  • Clip Should Tracee Ellis Ross Accept a Vegas Residency?
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The High Note?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Maggie Sherwoode's role at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in The High Note

4 cars on screen, including the 1973 Chevrolet Nova and the Club Car Precedent.

  • 1973 Chevrolet Nova in The High Note 1973 Chevrolet Nova
  • Club Car Precedent in The High Note Club Car Precedent
  • unknown in The High Note unknown
  • Utilimaster Aeromaster in The High Note Utilimaster Aeromaster
Details

The High Note Also Known As

34 alternative titles, including “Música” and “Glamour y Fama”.

Also known as
  • Música
  • Glamour y Fama
  • Covers
  • 高调
  • לגעת בכוכבים
  • L.A. Love Songs – Der Sound meines Lebens
  • Visuri mari
  • Kalifornský sen
  • Ассистент звезды
  • Büyük Hayaller
  • L'assistente della Star
  • La Voix du succès
+22 more
  • A Batida Perfeita
  • По ноти
  • Pont az a dal
  • Personal Assistant
  • Висока нота
  • 나의 첫 번째 슈퍼스타
  • 天后小助理, მაღალი ნოტა
  • Όνειρα στην Καλιφόρνια
  • Na topie
  • A Nota Perfeita
  • Våga drömma
  • Ритам успеха
  • Viršuje
  • Nota perfectă
  • 我老細係天后
  • Augstā nots
  • ไต่โน้ตหัวใจตามฝัน
  • ネクスト・ドリーム/ふたりで叶える夢
  • Nốt Cao
  • Visoka nota
  • أعلى طبقة صوتية
  • द हाई नोट

Seen The High Note?

FAQ

The High Note FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The High Note, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The High Note?

The High Note runs 1 hour 53 minutes (113 minutes).

When was The High Note released?

The High Note was released on May 29, 2020.

Who directed The High Note?

The High Note was directed by Nisha Ganatra.

More films by Nisha Ganatra

Who is in the cast of The High Note?

The High Note stars Tracee Ellis Ross as Grace Davis, Dakota Johnson as Maggie Sherwoode and Kelvin Harrison Jr. as David Cliff, among 14 credited actors.

How much did The High Note make at the box office?

The High Note grossed $2.2 million worldwide.

How is The High Note rated?

The High Note has 5.1/10 on IMDb, 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

Does The High Note have a post-credit scene?

No. The High Note has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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