Chasing Happiness
Kids say
Based on 3 reviews
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Chasing Happiness
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
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.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
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?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 4, 2019
- Cast: Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas
- Director: John Taylor
- Studio: Amazon Studios
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Music and Sing-Along
- Run time: 96 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience
Young Jonas fans will adore the Brothers' concert flick.
-
Songwriter (2018)
Docu about pop star's album creation; smoking, cursing.
-
Jersey Boys
Moving, teen-friendly musical has magic and great songs.
For kids who love music
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate