Documentary Review: ‘The Boy From Medellin’

Review by James Lindorf

Powerful, insightful, heartbreaking, life-affirming are words or phrases often used to describe documentaries. They tend to have a point of view or a message to share and are direct about it. The latest project for Academy Award®-nominee and Emmy-winning filmmaker Matthew Heineman (Cartel Land, City of Ghosts, A Private War) “The Boy from Medellin” is all of those things and none of them. The best way to describe this profile of recording artist J Balvin is quietly thought-provoking. “The Boy from Medellin” starts streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime on May 7th, which just so happens to be J Balvin’s birthday.

“The Boy from Medellin” was filmed in late November 2019 as Balvin geared up for what he described as the most important concert of his life. It is the first time he is the only act for a sold-out stadium concert, and it is taking place in his hometown. Balvin travels with the typical entourage of managers, stylists, friends, his girlfriend, and a few less common additions. Balvin is often outspoken about the importance of mental health and his struggles with anxiety and depression, so he brings along a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, and a spiritual advisor. As he struggles with a bout of laryngitis, it is nothing compared to the struggles of his home country.

In late 2019 over a million people would routinely take to the streets to demand better access to education and health care. The public was calling for Balvin to aid their cause and speak out against the government’s behavior. Instead, the typically apolitical singer would rather focus on spreading good vibes, entertaining people, and providing a break from the bleak situation. As time moves on, his lack of interaction becomes almost as damning to his career as saying the wrong thing. The trouble is to a portion of the population; he will always say the wrong thing. Too far to the right or left, and the other side hates him. Too centrist, and he risks upsetting everyone. In the film’s climactic moment, Balvin makes his decision and speaks out seriously for the first time. He manages to do so in a manner that lets you know what side he is on without stepping on too many toes.

Watching Heineman toe the line is impressive. He has several messages to juggle. The duty of celebrities to speak out for others because they have the platform. The responsibility of a government to take care of its people. The public’s disassociation between a celebrity and their humanity. Like Balvin losing himself in his stage persona, which helped trigger his anxiety, the public has lost Jose in J Balvin. They essentially have no regard for what he may be thinking or feeling as an individual, only seeing the platform he has at his disposal. In a time often filled with shouting and angry typing, it is refreshing to see such a subtle approach to controversial topics. Add in the beautiful cinematography and the energy of a Balvin concert, and Heineman has something to be proud of. While “The Boy from Medellin” isn’t your typical concert film with only an opening and closing concert but its heart puts it at the head of the pack and easily earns a 4 out of 5.

Rating: R
Genre: Documentary, Biography, Music
Original Language: English
Director: Matthew Heineman, Matthew Heineman
Producer: Matthew Heineman, Juan Camilo Cruz, Myles Estey, Joedan Okun
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2021
Runtime: 1h 35m