The Boy From Medellin movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Boy From Medellin

Available on Amazon May 7, 2021, which is also J Balvin’s birthday!

RATING: R (for language)

LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

First of all, thanks to Amazon Studios for inviting me to their virtual press screening so I could watch this movie before it goes live.

This is the film’s description Amazon gave me: An astonishingly intimate portrait of one of the biggest international music superstars of our time. THE BOY FROM MEDELLÍN follows J Balvin as he prepares for the most important concert of his career–a sold-out stadium show in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia.

But as the performance draws ever closer, the streets explode with growing political unrest, forcing the Latin Grammy-winning musician to wrestle with his responsibility as an artist to his country and his legions of fans around the globe. As the public pressure of the approaching concert heightens, Balvin also continues to deal with the anxiety and depression that has plagued him for years. Shot entirely in the dramatic week leading up to the concert, THE BOY FROM MEDELLÍN gives us unprecedented access to “Reggaeton’s Global Ambassador,” and provides an immersive look into one of the most pivotal and emotionally charged moments of his life.

THINGS I LIKED:

I had never even heard of J Balvin, so I really wanted to watch this film and learn more about him. I know. Where have I been? He won more Latin Grammy’s than anyone in 2018. He was the most streamed performer on YouTube. If you haven’t heard of him either, you’ll get to hear him sing and watch him perform quite a bit in the documentary.
He is very honest and open with his audiences about his struggle with depression and anxiety and panic attacks. In clips from previous concerts, he assures his fans that they are not alone if they have struggled with those things too.
Most Americans only know Medellin from Pablo Escobar and drugs. While I haven’t been to Medellin, I have traveled to other cities in Colombia and can tell you it’s an incredibly beautiful country! My twin sister lived there for a year and a half and loved it. She and I were able to travel there together a few years ago and it was so much fun having her introduce me to so many of the things she loves about Colombia. She always says, “The most dangerous thing about going to Colombia is never wanting to leave.” In the film, you get a taste of the passion and rhythm of the people there.
J Balvin was truly put in a difficult decision when he returned to his country to give a concert in the middle of one of the largest mass protests in the history of Colombia. Several people even died.One of his friends said it correctly that he couldn’t win no matter what he did; if he spoke up against the government, it would be bad, but if he didn’t say anything at all, that would be bad too. He didn’t know what to do because he didn’t want to make a mistake. He admitted he was afraid to speak out against things he didn’t fully understand politically. The big question of the movie is “What is the role of artists?” Should they speak out politically or simply perform? Another person told him, “You can expect everyone to love you.”
It was interesting to learn that he had a spiritual advisor who talked to him on the phone and in-person to help him with his mindset. J Balvin’s real name is Jose. He spends much of the movie talking about how he lost himself and his identity.
The movie is advertised as representing the 7 days before J Balvin’s big concert in Colombia, but you actually get to see clips from many years prior too.
It was sweet that a bunch of American celebrities called him the day of his big concert to show support.
For the 4-hour concert, he had the words “Amor” and “Paz” painted on his head. They mean “Love” and “Peace.”
After watching J Balvin be surrounded by so many personal assistants and support staff, I was surprised to watch him drive off in his own car at the end of a concert.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Sometimes it’s annoying to watch a rich guy fly around on a private jet, but I am genuinely happy for his incredible success.
We see a lot of people on cell phones during the entire movie because they’re trying to figure out what’s going on with the national strike.
In documentaries like these, you often wonder what is real and what has been carefully designed for the camera, you know?
If you’re not into his kind of music, you probably won’t be interested in this film.
What’s sad is that Colombia is STILL experiencing deadly protests. As of today, May 4, 2021, 17 people have died and 800 were injured in several days of protests against a proposed government tax reform.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Almost all of the movie in Spanish with English subtitles on the bottom of the screen.
Profanity in Spanish and written on the screen in English. F-bombs in both languages.
You see clips of some inappropriate gestures during his performance. I thought it was telling that the camera showed his embarrassed father looking away.

THEMES:

Balance
Overcoming depression
Identity
How to be grounded throughout fame
Politics
Pressure to be all things to all people
Positions and platforms of responsibility
Using your voice for good

FUNNY LINES:

“Whether that’s a new hair cut or one that’s ending, either way, it’s ugly.” – one of J Blavin’s friends

INTERESTING LINES:

“I had my foot in two worlds. My rich friends thought I was poor and my poor friends thought I was rich.” – J Blavin
“Depression is hell. It’s stronger than you.” – J Balvin
“Meditation is the reason I don’t do drugs. It’s why I don’t drink alcohol. Meditation saved my life.” – J Blavin (At one point in the movie, he holds a champagne glass to toast his family and friends. I wondered if he was going to drink it after the toast, but instead, he handed it to someone without taking a sip. Impressive.)
“I just want to be better every day.” – J Balvin
“It’s as if my soul doesn’t accept I’m growing up.” – J Balvin
“It wasn’t just hard work. It was hard sacrifice and work and a big dream.” – J Balvin
“As long as you have a dream, you have a reason to wake up and hustle.” – J Balvin
“When the show is over, I’m like every other human being.” – J Balvin