An old-fashioned, squarely sentimental immigrants’ tale that marries a familiar story of generational rebellion to the New York hipster fusion music scene, director David Grubin’s Downtown Express is a wide-eyed if not particularly adroit charmer. If its awkward cycling through various stodgy subplots and general lack of a more starkly defined contrast and stakes mark it as somewhat lazy and functional on a narrative level, its relative freshness of setting — as well as the fact that its music, from Grammy nominee Philippe Quint and Nellie McKay, absolutely sings — makes the movie a marginal recommendation for those with an interest in musically-focused cinema. It doesn’t reach the heights of Once or even the more experimental, exuberant Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, but arthouse boomer fans in particular will respond positively to the movie’s heart and soul. For the full, original review, from ShockYa, click here. For more information on the movie, which opens in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Town Center 5, click here. (International Film Circuit, unrated, 90 minutes)