Our defender of 1 Direction, Sahira really delves into movie, (thank God! It’s not us!) and tells us like it is.. One Direction – This Is Us Sony Pictures Rating: PG Running Time: 92 minutes Three years, two albums and world tours, and now, one movie. Too much, too fast? Apparently not for their fans. Even though Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik – collectively known as the pop boyband One Direction (as if you didn’t know that already) – seemed to have appeared out of nowhere (possibly through fairy godfather Simon Cowell’s magic), they immediately shot to stardom into every corner of the globe, selling out concert tickets within minutes. But never fear, Hollywood and the big screen are here. This Is Us is a breezy look into the boys’ shot to fame from their X Factor days to the insanity of their current popularity. Joining the recent trend of music documentaries (Katy Perry: Part Of Me, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, etc), concert performances are interspersed with backstage antics, talk, and a vouyeristic look into the group’s life – in a very controlled environment, of course. There was no mention of the boys’ frequent tabloid appearances or even any of their girlfriends, just the five having fun while being lucky enough to live the dream (as we are r eminded many times throughout the show). There is no way anyone can call One Direction talentless; their flawless harmonising on Little Things and hilarious backstage ad-lib of a reggae version of Last First Kiss proved how they won over the thousands of teenage fan girls with not only their voices and strong stage presence, but also their undeniable charm. Also, in a time where ‘bromance’ is highly desirable within fans, the 62
boys’ genuine friendship and hilarious banter of wits only add to their appeal. In one scene, the boys separate for a break and Malik and Payne share a hug before Malik runs for his flight. “Have fun!” Payne calls out, to which Malik yells back, “Maybe not, ‘cause I’ll miss you!” Cue “aww”s from the audience. The movie attempted to add an emotional depth by featuring the boys’ mothers, as well as following each of the boys back to their respective homes. While some conversations with their parents felt scripted and really awkward, I enjoyed watching the mothers interacting. Each shared heartfelt and honest stories of how they hadn’t seen their sons at home since they left for the X Factor audition. Payne’s mother in particular missed her son so much that she bought his standee and kept it in his room (much to Payne’s disconcertment when he was back home). It seemed like director Morgan Spurlock didn’t really try too hard with the film. While he tried to include everything the fans would love and lap up, there was barely any depth, and die-hard fans would probably have seen or known about everything This Is Us had to offer. Perhaps everything the band did had already been covered extensively by the paparazzi and media, so it is really hard to throw any surprises. For example: the scene where Malik gifts his mother her dream home – though sweet and touching – was on every tabloid paper earlier this year. Overall, the movie is fun for the already converted, but those who are merely curious might just leave the theatre scratching their heads and wondering, “That was it?”
3/5 stars This Is Us was in cinemas 29 August 2013 exclusively at Cathay Cineplexes.
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