Larry Silverstein
Although I'm sure this movie will have it's ardent supporters especially in the faith-based community, I'm not a big fan of films which are filled with platitudes and agendas, because they invariably come across to me as preachy. Although this movie, written and directed by Richard Ramsey, is a little more low key than most in it's presentation of moralistic ideas, and has some good music and a decent story, it still registered with me as having a 'holier-than-thou" air about it.Alan Powell stars here as Jed King, who's a struggling musician and singer living in the shadow of his father David, who was a famous country singer but has now passed on. With his career stalling, Jed takes a gig at a harvest festival, in Sharon, Kentucky, where he meets Rose Jordan (Ali Faulkner) and her father Sheppard, who own and manage the vineyard where the festival is being held.It's love at first sight for Jed and Rose and they soon will marry. Jed is so inspired by his new love that he's able to write and perform with a new energy, and one of his songs about Rose becomes a big hit, and soon Jed has a rocketing career.However, with his fame comes the expectations of musical tours, and on one of these Jed, who has his own strict moral code, meets the vampish Shelby Bale (Caitlin Nicol Thomas), who's an excellent singer and fiddle player in her own right, and will be his opening act. Shelby seems determined to seduce Jed from day one. Will Jed succumb to her temptations, plus the lure of drugs and alcohol so commonplace on road tours? Stay tuned.I imagine the central theme of this film is that if you live a good and moralistic life, then it will outweigh any money or fame you accrue along the way and which you can't take with you when you leave this Earth. Thus you'll be in good stead to face God in the afterlife. However, despite those positives mentioned in the beginning of this review, I just couldn't buy into the preachiness of it all.
macmack5
I really enjoyed this movie, and you should expect interesting sub plots and good directing and filming. It is an age-old theme, but what story line really isn't? (There is nothing new under the sun.) Check it out, you will not be disappointed. Not overtly spiritual or preachy. Just real and contemplative. The music is also interesting, and the scenery is breath taking. I like to study the art of film making while watching a movie, but the story and the plot did capture me enough that I really got into the story. Watch how the actor's appearance changes with the flow of the story. Really effective! I don't think attendance and box office will do this movie the justice it deserves, but don't be a crowd follower, give this movie a try.
rgkarim
My last review again deviates from the normal blockbuster and instead turns to a lesser advertised movie. Instead of mind numbing action, stupid comedic gestures, or yet another animated movie, this one instead falls in the line of… yes you guessed it the drama. This review is centered on a movie called the Song, who you may have not seen advertised, because I didn't. So let's get down to it and give you the 411 on this cinematic journey as I will call it. You might be asking what the heck is this movie about? The Song is a tale about a singer, surprise, named Jed King who is in the shadow of his famous father, who has a bit of sinful past. At the promise of not following in his footsteps, Jed puts his religion first in hopes of using that to keep straight. When love and a career begin to develop though, Jed is put to the trial of turning from the sinful life that the world offers. So where does the Song come in? I wish not to ruin the surprise, but a part of it is that this movie has a lot of soundtrack to it, with a decent number of scenes involving some musical track. If you're a country lover, then you'll be pleased to hear that almost every song is in this genre. Most of the tracks sound exactly the same to me, the twang of the violin and banjo filling your eardrums with the sounds of Kentucky life. This annoyed me as the movie progressed, but mainly because 1. I hate country music, and 2. a majority of the numbers were the same song, only slightly mixing it up about halfway through. Luckily the numbers, for the most part, had a point to the story, often an outlet for the pent up emotions of young Jed, as a means of expressing himself. Some of these numbers made the point, but some of them seemed to be just whining with a certain beat that didn't do much for me. As I mentioned the music is integrated into the story, but how good was the story in this film. The first aspect is that this movie is a big drama film, filled with the basic plot elements of a soap opera. Right at the start the tale is depressing, filled with a quick bout of adultery, death, redemption, and then more death, and these characters have little involvement in the tale. From there it goes back into the classic set up with a quick set up of romance that last no longer than ten minutes. Once the relationship is set, the real drama begins, which becomes the theme of the entire movie. The second component of the movie is the life lessons taught in the film via internal monologue and dialog between characters. Jed's journey through the stages of his trial is narrated by his thoughts, quoting from some poetry or verse summing up his feelings and actions. At times this is well done, but like everything requires a little balance, instead of beating the dead horse. Despite the delivery of the message, the lessons are grand though, the wise words delivered in such a manner to breach your conscious and make you feel the teachings. Well that, and the fact that Jed continues to make horrible choices, some of which had me saying "You idiot, or No don't do that dummy!" Outside of that though, the story isn't so much complex as simple and drawn out, with very little twist or surprise to the matter. Most of the things you can see coming a mile away, with the only thing keeping me in mystery being the ending. Yet, those that love emotional, tear jerking movies are going to be enthralled most of the movie. Of course the thing that really brings this movie alive is the acting in the film. Alan Powell takes point in this movie, being the tragic "hero" in this tale. Powell's character has a nice set of pipes, not the best mind you, but decent enough. How much is autotuned? I have no idea, but he does a nice job for the most part. Outside of singing though he plays the emotions of sincere, sad, happy, and angry quite well, but goes a little overboard at times. He can even play the pathetic role quite well, all while looking good, at least from the comments by the female audience members. Overall his acting is good, though I can't say I enjoyed his character the most. Caitlin Nicol-Thomas also does a nice job playing the role she did as well. She's got edge, flare, and plays the wild girl quite well. In both music and acting, the girl brings spice to the picture and offsets the comfort zone the beginning part of the movie sets. Of course of all the cast my favorite is the lovely Ali Faulkner. Not only is this girl beautiful, but I loved her character in the film, and even more how she brought her to life. Faulkner plays the entire spectrum, and brings both wholesome goodness and loyalty to the screen. Of all the characters, I felt she was the one who kept the acting in check, not going overboard with the screaming and crying as some of the others did. My only complaint with her, the depressed sighing got a little old at some points. The Song is a great teaching movie, and is meant for drama lovers who want that soap opera method. However, if you are looking for something a little more… fulfilling and less preaching, then skip this movie and watch it on Netflix. Just give this picture a try at some point; you may just learn a lesson that will go a long way. My scores are: Drama/Music/Romance: 7.5 Movie Overall: 6.5
