Raise Your Voice is a 2004 American teen musical drama film directed by Sean McNamara and starring Hilary Duff. Canadian rock band Three Days Grace appeared in this movie as special guests, performing the songs "Are You Ready" and "Home".
Plot[]
Terri Fletcher is a Flagstaff, Arizona teenager who dreams of becoming a professional singer. She wants to participate in a music program that could give her a $10,000 scholarship. Her protective father Simon, a second-generation restaurateur, disapproves of Terri's plans, as he wants her to run the family business. As a result, he disapproves of her summer plans and won't let Terri go. Terri is very close to her elder brother Paul, who supports her dream. At Paul's graduation-day barbecue, he has a fight with Simon and is grounded. That night, Terri sneaks Paul out of the house to attend a concert by their favorite band Three Days Grace. On their way home, they sing along with more songs but are hit by a drunk driver. Terri awakens in the hospital and learns that Paul was killed. Terri blames herself for Paul's death and decides to quit singing, but her mother Frances says that Paul's death is not her fault, and that Paul would have wanted Terri to attend the program. She tries to convince Terri to go, telling Simon that Terri plans to stay with her aunt Nina in Palm Desert, California for the summer while she actually goes to Los Angeles. At first Simon only cares about who's going to run the restaurant (which her mother and aunt chide him for), while Terri is not eager about lying to her dad saying this feels wrong. Her Aunt Nina explains that a long time ago, Simon and his best friend were both given football scholarships to UCLA which they both got into but when it was time to leave, the restaurant was going under so he stayed to help turning down an opportunity of a lifetime. She advices Terri not to do the same thing her dad did, this convinces Terri to go. Her dad agrees to the arrangement and before she leaves Simon gives Terri enough money telling her to call anytime.
Terri arrives in Los Angeles and has a few difficulties: the train gets in late, her jacket is stolen, her cab driver is crabby, and initially can't get into the music school. Eventually she is able to get in and the first phone call with her dad goes well and is convinced she is fine. While in the program, Terri makes new friends, including fun-loving DJ Kiwi, quiet pianist Sloane, and talented violinist Denise (who is also her roommate). Terri also develops a mutual fondness for British songwriter Jay, but she faces competition from Robin Childers, who was with Jay the previous summer. Terri learns a great deal about music but has flashbacks of the car crash particularly when a spotlight is on her. Terri soon learns from one of the professors that she was able to get into the program thanks to her brother who submitted her submission video before he passed away. Terri soon tells Jay about her brother and that she is to blame as it was her idea to sneak out to the concert. Jay assures Terri that it was a drunk driver that killed her brother and that happens all the time, he advises her to let it go and to keep doing what her brother wanted her to do. At one point though, Simon unexpectedly takes a trip to Palm Springs to check in on Terri, she then takes the next train to Palm Springs and manages to arrive a the same time as her dad, much to Nina's amazement and relief keeping the ruse up. Robin still harbors feelings for Jay, but he does not reciprocate. Jay tries to get Robin to leave him and Terri alone. On one occasion, Robin kisses Jay just as Terri walks in. Jay pushes Robin away, but Terri runs off in tears, ignoring Jay's insistence that the kiss meant nothing. Terri gets some more help from her teachers who help her gain confidence in her singing. Later, Terri finds Jay drunk, Terri and Denise take Jay to the roof to sober up. When he does, Jay apologizes, and Terri agrees to finish the song they have been working on for the scholarship contest.
In the meantime, Simon learns of Terri's ruse, Nina tries to insist that Terri is following her dreams and Paul wanted her to do this. Simon remains unconvinced and drives to Los Angeles to bring her home. On the final day, Simon comes to the school and chastises Terri for deceiving him, as well as accuses her of turning his sister and wife against him. As he packs up her things Terri begs her father not to make same mistake he did with Paul and make her run, and not ruin the summer. While not wanting to listen at first, he realizes how selfish he had been and changes his mind.
Terri and Jay perform the song they wrote, dedicating it to Paul. Even though Denise wins the scholarship prize, Simon is proud of his daughter and her talents, and is also glad that her last memory of Paul is one worth having (the concert), as opposed to Simon's own (their argument). Terri's teachers hope to see her next year; Simon replies that they just might. Over the end credits, the students perform together.