Cilla McGowan (Brittany Murphy) grew up in a Hollywood family. Her grandmother was a very famous star, who died before she was born. Her mother loves the Hollywood life and wouldn't dream of giving it up. After being a child star with TV series' and movies under her belt, Cilla has other dreams. She dreams of giving up the Hollywood glamour for the much more earthy life of a contractor, and her first project is her grandmother's old house.
This house was absolutely beautiful at one time. You get to see what it originally looked in Cilla's dreams. Since moving into the house, Cilla has had dreams of her grandmother. She finds herself at her grandmother's parties in the past. As time goes on, she even finds herself dreaming of conversations with her grandmother. Through these dreams and some old letters she finds, Cilla begins to believe that her grandmother didn't really commit suicide, but was instead murdered. Of course, if Cilla isn't careful, she's going to be the next victim.
The first morning that she is outside in her yard, she meets her neighbor Ford Sawyer (Jason Lewis). Ford is a graphic novelist who is instantly smitten with Cilla. She sparks creativity in him that makes him want to use her as the main character of his next novel. The budding romance between these two takes a really rocky start, but Ford is always there for her. Once Cilla starts fixing up the house, someone is out to sabotage her. First they chop down her new trees, and then gradually move on to much more destruction. When she refuses to leave, they start to threaten her life. Can Cilla solve the mystery of her grandmother's death before she becomes a victim as well?
Tribute is a really good little mystery story. Granted I was pretty sure who the culprit was from the time they are introduced, but they do a really good job of throwing the suspicion onto several other people. The acting was very well done as well. I do love Brittany Murphy, I've liked her in everything that I've seen her in. The rest of the cast is just as wonderful too. The setting, the sounds, the casting, everything in the movie was perfect.
Tribute is a very good mystery with some romance added in. I think it's a perfect mixture of the two. If you like either mysteries or romance, you should go buy Tribute today!
