The greatest British boy band since the Beatles has taken American hearts by storm.
One Direction, comprised of members Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson have swept not only the United States, but the globe.
Their start as a band is unconventional. Each boy tried out as a solo artist on the television show The X Factor (2010) in England. Each boy’s dreams were dashed as they were cut after auditioning.
The boys were combined to form a group, and continued to perform, finishing third. However, their fans couldn’t get enough, and One Direction rose to stardom.
Morgan Spurlock, Director of One Direction: This Is Us at the One Direction premiere; Photo Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
The boys, young teens when they began this journey, seem to have kept the fame and fortune from inflating their egos.
Perhaps since their dreams of The X Factor didn’t include being a group, their attitudes have remained one of gratefulness for the life they are living and for the fans who have kept them at the top of the charts.
Onscreen, the boys are typical boys—pretending to outrun their security officers, who jokingly will throw one of them over their broad shoulders and walk them back to the “assigned” areas.
Not only do they like to play pranks (sometimes going out in public in disguise), but they have a legitimate good time just being together.
The band One Direction performing at one of their concerts; Photo Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
The film is an incredible behind-the-scenes documentary, giving us a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry, and Louis, while at the same time showing the massive audience that screams and cries when the boys take the stage.
While it’s easy to make judgments about pop stars from what is portrayed on television and in the tabloids, One Direction is a group that can touch hearts of the young and old, alike.
What makes One Direction so loveable are their songs—they sing what girls want to hear, and what most teenage guys are afraid to say out loud.
Add that to their boyish charm, cute faces, and great voices, and it’s no wonder they’ve reached the success they have.
One Direction Album Cover for Take Me Home; Photo Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
Several times, the boys will sit together and chat – which is heartwarming when they share what’s on their minds, and how much they miss home, but would miss each other even more.
They talk about how fortunate they are, and Zayn says, “Imagine if I’d stayed in bed that day [audition].”
The film in in 3D, which made the movie pretty spectacular. The filmography is fantastic, and there is no sense of motion sickness that sometimes accompanies 3-D films.
In fact, the movie is so engaging, you forget you’re even wearing the glasses. Until the shrill scream of a teenage girl pierces your ears and you’re back in reality.
One Direction is a loveable group, and whether you’re into boy bands, or are the parent of a teen who loves them, I’m pretty sure you’ll want to buy one of their songs after you leave the theater.
The band at the press conference for their new film One Direction: This Is Us; Photo Courtesy of TriStar Pictures
The Biblical Worldview
The movie goes behind the scenes into almost every aspect of the band members’ lives. Occasionally, there will be shot of one of them in their boxers, and at the end, one of the boys jokes that he likes to record naked.
Other than that, there isn’t much of anything that would embarrass a parent watching with their pre-teen.
There are couple uses of the “d-word,” but it is rare. The movie doesn’t go into religious aspects, drinking or sex, and the respect the boys show for their parents is more than touching. Overall, it’s a clean movie.
British boy band One Direction (from left to right: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Liam Payne) show off their 3D glasses for their new movie documentary
The Biblical Discussion
In the movie, Zayn says “Imagine if I’d stayed in bed instead of going to the audition.” Let that soak in for a moment.
Imagine your grandest fantasy come true, and it was yours for the taking, but you stayed in bed instead of embracing the day.
Proverbs 20:13 says “Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.” What blessings does God have waiting for us, but we are too lazy to go after them? Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God wants us to experience the richness of life and the fullness of His blessings, but He doesn’t always just hand it to us.
Similar to the five boys of One Direction following their dreams, we also have to pursue the desires and gifts God has laid on our hearts.
Some questions to consider:
Are there times in your life that you’re thankful you didn’t stay in bed? Are you living your dream life?
What can you change that will make you feel fulfilled?
Click here to watch the official trailer on SCH for One Direction: This is Us
To get more movie reviews from a Christian perspective please check out Bethany Jett’s review of Me Again
To learn more about the author, check out Bethany Jett.
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[…] Read movie critic – Bethany Jett’s review on One Direction: This Is Us […]
I think this was an excellent review and very accurate. As a Christian mom who wants to teach her kids the love God and maintain Christian values in this turbulent world, I find ID to be such a refreshing change in the world of music targeted for teens. I took my daughter to see ID in concert in July and then to the movie with a carload of girls who were exuberant about seeing film.
It illustrates young men who love their families, each other and are humbled by their dumb luck and worldwide popularity. They sing with their hearts on their sleeves which is what is sending these girls to the moon! There was audible weeping by the young girls around me in the theater when they sang their ballads — very touching. Oh, and by the way, their music is really good too!
Thank you Marissa! It is so great to get your feedback and know that you are being blessed by our movie reviews! We live in a culture where mixed media dominates all entertainment, and as parents we need to be equipped with insight on how to talk about biblical principles as they relate to our current culture. It is our goal to help parents in this way. Stay tuned dear friend! Lots more to come!
From our Christian Home to yours~ Love in Christ!