Review: The Song

Amazon Price: $14.99		Starring: Alan Powell, Ali Faulkner, Caitlin Nicol-Thomas Directed: Richard Ramsey Release Date: February 10, 2015 Run Time: 116 Minutes Format: DVD Audio: English/ Subtitles: Distributor: Sony Pictures

Aspiring singer/songwriter Jed King is struggling to catch a break and escape the long shadow of his famous father when he reluctantly agrees to a gig at a local vineyard festival. Jed meets the owner’s daughter, Rose, and an instant connection quickly turns to love. Soon after their wedding, Jed writes Rose “The Song,” which becomes a breakout hit. Suddenly thrust into a life of stardom and a world of temptation, his life and marriage begin to fall apart.

• Director’s Commentary
• Meet the Cast
• King Solomon on Screen: Adapting the Story
• Author Kyle Idleman on Love, Sex & Marriage
• Metaphors & Poetry: Themes of “The Song”

The Song is the epitome of redemption through forgiveness and second chances. It captivates a very powerful message through a couple that exemplifies how even the strongest of marriages go through turmoil. It demonstrates that through God, Jed is able to triumph over temptation, addiction, suicide, and adultery and is able to find his way back home to his wife, Rose.

I was enraptured by the musical genius of this film. The music mesmerized me from beginning to end. From the riveting song written for Jed’s wife, Rose, The Song (Awaken Love), which Jed struggles to perform with Shelby leading to his smashing her violin on stage, to the ethereal, Turn! Turn! Turn!, in which Jed performs for his wife at the end as he expresses his love and hope for a second chance. This is acknowledged in its lyrics, “A time for love… a time for peace, I swear it’s not too late!”

I felt it teetered from the typical storyline of a Christian movie which normally focuses on the relationship between the main actor and their finding or becoming closer to God. Both Jed and Rose expressed their faith at times, but it wasn’t as prevalent throughout the movie. There weren’t many references to God. Therefore, it required the audience to read between the lines. It is assumed that Rose’s previous relationship ended because her and her ex didn’t share the same values about being pure until marriage. But, it’s simply stated that they broke up because she wasn’t willing to sleep with him. When Jed decides to go to rehab, change his life around, and return to his wife and family, it’s inferred that his relationship with God led him to this decision. I suppose this was done in order to appeal to a more mainstream audience. However, I think in its own way it still left the impression needed to get the message across to the audience.

The acting was applaudable given the unseasoned actors that grace this movie. They manage to deliver authentic, raw emotion. When Shelby shows up at Jed and Rose’s house, Rose is finally awakened by the discovery of her husband’s affair. Her reaction seems genuinely broken as she demands that both Shelby and Jed leave her home. It brought me to tears when Jed finds her in the unfinished walls of the church they promised to build together and declares his biggest mistake was marrying her. Their acting in that moment stuns you hindering you speechless.

At times I found the storyline to be predictable and thus made for a more generic film. The singer-songwriter, Jed King, deals with the battle of following in his father’s footsteps while he tries to find his way as a musician. He ultimately heads down that same path despite his great attempt to avoid it as he finds himself conflicted when he gets a taste of fame and struggles with temptation for another musician, Shelby. While on tour, Shelby seduces Jed. Whilst starting an affair, Jed is influenced by Shelby’s bad habits and begins taking drugs, drinking, and partying. In turn, he develops an addiction and attempts to commit suicide resulting in his decision to change his life around when he begins rehab.

Jed’s commentary through the entire movie allowed for some insight into his thoughts and feelings. It helped the audience to connect with his character. However, some of the details seemed overdone. When he’s at the bar laughing drunkenly and smoking weed he says, “I tried cheering myself with wine & embracing folly” which reiterates what’s already being said through his actions.

Overall, The Song was by no means an original movie, but it illuminated the audience in its deliverance of its powerful message of redemption.
I would rate The Song a 4 out of 5 stars.

Reviewed by: Ashley G.

The Song		DVD $24.98 $14.99

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