Beyond the Lights (2014)

Pushed to success by her stage-mother Minnie Driver, Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s rising star begins to crash under the pressure of show business. Saving her from herself, even momentarily, is down-to-earth cop Nate Parker. It’s not a particularly new story nor does it end in anything but a thoroughly expected way. The leads are appealing with good chemistry; both of them capable at portraying the vulnerabilities necessary to make their characters believable.   

Oscar Nomination: Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song