So … I just got blindsided by a movie. Yeah. I went to the theatre expecting to see the love story of Solomon and the Shulamite translated into modern times. I came out of the theatre having seen a good movie, but definitely not Solomon and the Shulamite. Or Christ and his bride.
Let me start by saying that this movie is a good family movie if your kids are over 13 or 14. It’s a great movie for couples in good, strong relationships. It would be a good movie for young couples who are thinking about getting married. It is not a safe movie for those in troubled marriages or who are living with the pain of a broken marriage. It’s a tear-jerker, so don’t go expecting happily ever after fun.
The Song is the story of Jed and Rose King. Jed is the son of a famous musician; Rose is the daughter of a vineyard owner. They meet at a wine-tasting and harvest festival, and the first part of the movie is a beautiful picture of what we used to call courtship: a man finding the woman of his dreams and winning her affections. But after they are married, Jed’s music changes for the better, and he is lured into the typical life of touring. When his exploitative manager brings in a new opening act and launches the artists on a long-term series of tours, all hell breaks loose. Literally. The rest of the movie is about Jed’s descent into depravity and his eventual redemption.
Artistically, it’s a good movie. The acting is competent, occasionally brilliant. The staging, costuming, and effects are excellent. Though the plot line is predictable, it’s a good story well told. The interweaving of narration of verses from Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon adds interest and poignancy. And while there was clear reference to the Christian gospel, it wasn’t overwhelming or overdone.
Overall, I liked The Song. It’s not what I expected based on the advertisements I saw, but it was a good movie, nevertheless. And it definitely sparked some good conversation with my teenage sons.