Chasing Happiness

Name: Chasing Happiness
Item: Chasing Happiness
Rating: 4
Author: Andrea Beach

Movie review by

Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 13+

(i)

Engaging JoBros documentary has some language, drinking.

NR
2019
96 minutes

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Kids say

age 11+

Based on 3 reviews

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Official trailer

Chasing Happiness

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The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Positive Messages

Looking back honestly and talking openly about your past can help you move forward. You can spend so much time pursuing what you think will make you happy that you don't realize happiness has been there all along. Real success isn't tied to fame, fortune, or awards. It's finding a balance that lets you do what you love with the people you love. Close family bonds can see you through tough times.

Positive Role Models & Representations

The brothers and their parents model a close-knit, supportive family who are there for each other through thick and thin. They also model hard work and sacrifice to achieve their dreams. They don't take anything for granted, see themselves as regular people despite tremendous stardom, and remain grateful for what they have.

Violence

Sex

A few brief kisses and embraces between married couples. Some talk about their abstinence pledges as young teens and brief mention of some difficulties because of it.

Language

Infrequent. "F--k," "s--t," "bulls--t," "hell." One brother recounts being called "gay," "f-g," and "piss head" because he was interested in pole vaulting and gymnastics.

Consumerism

Jameson scotch displayed prominently in several scenes at one location.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

As adults the brothers drink beer and whiskey on camera. In one scene they play a drinking game involving talking honestly about their past; some big gulps shown along with some slurred speech and tipsy behavior. One adult brother says he needs a mimosa. One brother briefly shown with a large cigar in his hand.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Chasing Happiness is a documentary about the Jonas Brothers, the wildly popular trio that first achieved huge success as young teens. Now grown up (and starting families of their own), Nick, Joe, and Kevin drink (once to slight excess) and occasionally use strong language like "f--k" and "s--t." In a montage, one brother is briefly seen with a cigar in his hand. Some talk about their abstinence pledges as young teens and briefly mention difficulties because of it. The Jonases and their parents model strong family bonds, hard work, and willing sacrifice to achieve their dreams, and the brothers have matured enough to talk openly and honestly with each other about the ups and downs of their past and their former estrangement.

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Teen, 14 years old Written byccutler20 November 15, 2019

age 11+

its great if you like the Jonas Brothers

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Kid, 11 years old August 4, 2019

age 13+

4/5

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What's the story?

CHASING HAPPINESS follows the now grown-up Jonas Brothers as they reunite after years of estrangement. They look back on their past successes and failures, and talk openly and honestly about their experiences as a phenomenally popular boy band. Hopefully by revisiting the past, they'll be able to put it behind them and move into the future with their bonds of friendship and family intact.

Is it any good?

This engaging documentary about the likable Jonas Brothers makes it easy to see how the talented trio became enormously popular as young teens in the mid-2000s. And what's not to like? They're talented, grounded, and hardworking, and their love of performing together is infectious. Chasing Happiness offers a substantial, mature look at the brothers and their story that can even be enjoyed by people who aren't fans of their music.

The documentary covers a lot of ground, but some topics that feel worth pursuing, or at least worth more mention, get left by the wayside. Nick's life-threatening diabetes, for example, or the fourth brother, Frankie. Cynics may see it as a carefully crafted strategy to prepare their fans for a different, more mature Jonas Brothers in the future, and that's no doubt a factor. But it succeeds as an entertaining look behind the scenes at three brothers who absolutely love making and performing music together. It's also an emotionally satisfying look at their lives and brotherly bonds. The mature perspective, strong language, and brief drinking to excess make it best for teens and up.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how Chasing Happiness portrays the Jonas Brothers. What are their character strengths and weaknesses? What do you like, or not like, about them?
Did you learn anything new or surprising about the Jonas Brothers after watching this movie? Were you a fan of theirs before? Did the movie change your opinion about them?
Nick says that he was so busy chasing happiness he couldn't see that it was right there all along. What did he mean? What do you think happiness means to him, and what does it mean to you?