The Song Movie Review

Earlier this month, I was privileged to attend a pre-screening of The Song.  The Song will be in theaters September 26, 2014.  I was both excited and nervous to see a movie based on the life of King Solomon.  As you can probably guess from the movie poster below, this is no movie like The Ten Commandments, or even The Son of God.  In books, I would call this a Biblical Allegory, but I'm not sure if movies use those terms.  So, I like the way Marklessgirl calls the movie "a modern Biblical re-telling of Solomon's life". (click on the green highlighting to read a review from a  teen's point of view)

Poster is a free download from thesongmovie.com

I was very excited after seeing the movie trailer, which you can watch at thesongmovie.com.  I don't remember ever seeing a romantic drama based on a Bible history, filled with music.  In case you didn't know, I love music! (I must say, I'm a sucker for a musical.  BUT this is NOT a musical.)  Two of the greatest songwriters in the Bible, as far as I'm concerned, are King David, and his son, King Solomon.  So, the writers did an amazing job adapting their story to modern days, and making them Country music singers, and songwriters.  I was a little worried that the music would be cheesy, or I don't know, just not all that good. My worries were for naught, the music was amazing!  Even if you are not a Country music fan, you will still enjoy the music.  You can download a free copy of the title track from the movie in "The Store" at thesongmovie.com, and see for yourself.  I cannot wait until the whole movie soundtrack is available.  I am really enjoying listening to The Song download, and remembering the movie.

My nervousness about seeing the movie was in how much of the King David story would be in the movie, and how that would be done.  I have to tell you, just the right amount of the Kind David story was included to give the Solomon character background for his story.  Also, if you are familiar with Kind David's story, I must tell you that the scandalous parts were done tactfully and tastefully.  The viewer is not left guessing what's going on off the screen, but you could watch the movie with your children, and not need to cover their eyes.  I will say that if your kids are still reading a children's Bible, they are probably not ready for this movie.  The viewer must be prepared for the drugs, alcohol, adultery, a wedding night, and a happily married couple.  The most naked you see is naked shoulders, and there is only one kiss, but there is plenty of romance.  I loved that there was only one kiss in the movie, and I found out after the movie that the actor who played Jed, Alan Powell (lead singer of Anthem Lights), was kissing his real-life wife, thanks to lighting and camera angles, just like Kirk Cameron did in the Fireproof movie (SO COOL!!).

I love that the movie shows how timeless the Bible is.  I like how the writers use the Bible verse,  Ecclesiastes 1:9 '"There is nothing new under the sun."  The wise words of King Solomon are so true.  I don't think someone who is not familiar with the verses that are being woven into the the songs, the narration, and the overall history being shared, would even realize this was based on books of the Bible.  The movie is rich with quotes from the books of the Bible written by Solomon:  Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon (or Song of Songs), and made me want to read them all with fresh new eyes (like after I read a Biblical Allegory book).  I thought it was so cool how the writers brought in the aspects of Solomon asking God for wisdom and building the temple into modern day (just wait till you see how they do that!). 

For those that aren't familiar with those books of the Bible, the movie is not at all preachy.  This is real life, as I said, the Bible is timeless.  In the movie, King David's character is David King, a Country Music Star.  The Solomon character is Jed King, who ends up being a Country Music Star.  Jed's wife is named Rose.  I could so relate to Rose in the movie when she is tired, and feels used and unloved.  I wanted to yell at her (like people yell at soap operas), because I had been there, and I know now how a wife should act and react... and she was not doing what she should just then.  I felt bad for Jed, because he was just a man, the way God designed him, that wanted to pour out his love on his wife.

This movie is a feast for the eyes:  the imagery, the costuming, the hair (where are the pictures, so I can pin them to Pinterest???), the contrast between the two women in Jed's life.  The picture that the cameras gave us of the relationships were beautiful.  There was the father & son relationship, first between David and Jed, and later between Jed and his son, Ray.  The courtship of Jed and Rose was also beautiful to watch.

With the beauty and the drama, there were also some laughs mixed in.  When Jed and Rose first meet, they have a pretty funny conversation.  Shortly after, Jed performs an even funnier impromptu song.  And isn't there always a laugh to be had when a young man is asking permission to date a man's daughter, a man who has plenty of hunting "trophies" on his walls?!

The Song is a great date movie!  The Song is even a great family movie.  I hope that people who watch this movie will come away realizing that the Bible really does have direction and answers for all of life's problems.  Life really hasn't changed that much.  What we wear, and our technology are different, but as the Larry Norman song says: "Nothing really changes, everything remains the same."  

For me, a wife, I hope that all the wives out there will watch this and be thankful for their husbands.  I hope that she will realize that no matter how frustrating, or annoying, or whatever thing her husband might have done lately to drive her crazy, that there are women out there that are literally waiting for an opportunity to ruin her marriage (even if you think your husband is not desirable as when you first met).  We have a copy of the movie poster hung up on the way to our laundry room.  Whenever I pass the poster, I am reminded to appreciate my own husband.

Add The Song to your calendar on September 26th now, so you won't forget. 

SPOILER WARNING for those who don't want to know the ending: 

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There is a happy ending.  I adore happy endings.  And I really hope they tack on the bonus scene that we got to see after the credits.  I thought that was the perfect ending.