SING (2016) Movie Review
Colossians 3:23-24 says, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (NLT)
Sing
is a story of a theater owner named Buster Moon and his final desperate attempt to save his dream from financial ruin with a cliche singing competition. He fails to pay his staff, he cannot pay his bills, and the bank is days away from repossessing the building. Worst of all, he guarantees a grand prize of $100,000, a prize he cannot even close to pay. Could the ticket sales be remotely enough to cover all he owes? Not even close.
The only justification he has for his irresponsible behavior is purely emotion. His father worked hard to buy him the theater; therefore… he should be free to be creative in spite of rationale, logic, professionalism, or reality. Even as he faces the consequences of his terrible decisions, he continues to make terrible decisions. He lives in an unrealistic fantasy. He thinks one decent show will solve all of his problems, but reality says NO.
The pressure of these impossible expectations also negatively affect the passionate musicians involved. Each of them except a certain egotistical mouse audition due to their love for music. The power and beauty of music give their lives meaning. It gives their lives momentum. It gets them through their daily routines. Music is a piece of their core identity. Yet, it becomes clear that the pressure, expectations, and controlling behavior nearly crushes the musical spirit within them.
In a series of unfortunate events, however, the expectations of saving that old building are removed. Without Moon's pressure, control, and selfishness in the way, the spirit of music comes alive. That spirit is then free to spark joy into the hearts of the audience.
Psalm 57:7 says, "My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!" (NLT)
He learns that music must not be controlled or restricted. He learns that the happiness of his performers is more important than pleasing the crowd. He learns to let go of the physical building and embrace a community of people instead.
What good is a building without people? What good is music without a joyful spirit? What good is a program without creative freedom? What will come of it is a mortgage foreclosure, a terrible reputation, and too many burned bridges to count.
Let go of control. Let the spirit grow. Give artists the freedom they deserve. Only then may the people find joy.
