susan granger 's review of " songcatcher " in the midst of this summer 's fare of dinos revisited and romantic fiascoes , there are a few thoughtful movies - and this appalachian period drama is one
. oscar nominee janet mcteer ( " tumbleweeds " ) stars as dr .
lily penleric , an accomplished musicologist who , back in that pre - feminist era , was refused a full professorship at her university . determined to prove her worth , she ventures deep into the rugged mountains of north carolina , where her younger sister elna ( jane adams ) runs a school .
there in bear creek , she discovers a treasure - trove of traditional scots - irish and english folk ballads , given a unique interpretation by the insular locals .
excited , she sends for recording equipment and persuades vinie butler ( pat carroll ) and other self - sustaining mountain folk to share their musical heritage on her edison phonograph cylinders .
their music , as she puts it , is " as much a part of life here as the air you breathe .
"
that 's the main thrust of writer - director
maggie greenwald 's occasionally uneven culture - clash story , which is loosely based on olive dame campbell 's foray through the blue ridge mountains in 1908 , but there 's also some melodramatic romantic spice .
ornery , bearded , banjo - picking aidan quinn falls for the statuesque , passionate " songcatcher , " while elna secretly engages in a lesbian relationship with a colleague ( e . katherine kerr ) .
i 'm ready to buy the soulful soundtrack with vocalists like emmylou harris , iris dement , taj mahal and young opera star emmy rossum who plays a pivotal role as mcteer 's wide - eyed prot ?
g ? .
rated pg-13 , there 's an intense scene of primitive childbirth .
on the granger movie gauge of 1 to 10 , " songcatcher " is an intelligent , extraordinary 8 , transported by the transcendent power of song .
some melodramatic romantic spice an intelligent , extraordinary i 'm ready to buy the soulful soundtrack oscar nominee there are a few thoughtful movies - and this appalachian period drama is one