There are times when celebrities use their platform and popularity to make opinions heard and causes supported. At times, they have influential power that arguably trumps that of politicians.
For Colombian reggaeton singer José Álvaro Osorio Balvín (more commonly known as J Balvin), the weight of that pressure is too much.
"The Boy From Medellín" is a documentary directed by Matthew Heineman ("A Private War") that delves into J Balvin's 2019 homecoming concert preparations amid intense political turmoil in Colombia.
The Boy From Medellín - Official Trailer | Prime Videowww.youtube.com
Music aficionados and J Balvin fans will likely find more to like in this documentary than standard viewers. There is a lot of eye-catching concert footage, and we get to see important people in Balvin's life like one of his life-long friends, Daniel.
The story flows well, but the biggest flaw in this movie is its tonal delivery.
Though J Balvin's psychological struggles with depression and anxiety are extremely relatable, it's hard to see oneself in J's shoes. When his health takes a hit, he has a doctor visit him at home and administer shots on his bed. When he feels the pressure to share an opinion, lots of people feel his stress, too. That is, until viewers are reminded of what a gigantic celebrity he is.
In one memorable scene, a fan asks Balvin to share his words of comfort and express his opinion on the protests, which are depicted through real footage rather than filming in the thick of them. The fan continues to emphasize that Balvin's hometown sees him as a Colombian success story. So anything he has to say means the world to those who listen.
This scenario is a constant internal struggle for J Balvin, particularly when a young man named Dilan Cruz dies from his injuries during a protest. Balvin expresses remorse for the kid's death, but he avoids addressing the how's and the why's of his death.
Most of the time, the film comes off like "woe is me, it's tough to be a celebrity." And that tone seems very off considering there's potential for a deeper story in exploring the political unrest in Colombia. Yet, this review is also a perfect example of what the film brings awareness to. Everyone is a critic, and those in the spotlight can't win either way.
Score: 5/10
"The Boy from Medellín" premieres exclusively on Amazon Prime, Friday, May 7, J Balvin's birthday.
Follow the reporter on Twitter at @s_incorvaia.
