Parents' Guide to

Songwriter (2018)

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Docu about pop star's album creation; smoking, cursing.

Movie NR 2018 84 minutes
Songwriter (2018) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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Is It Any Good?

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Ardent fans of Ed Sheeran will love soaking up every minute of this documentary about the creative process that led to the album Divide. Teens who are interested in music will also enjoy Songwriter's behind-the-scenes access: the gear, the recording equipment, the instruments. Watching a song grow from a few hummed phrases into a fully realized album track may inspire them to try an instrument or write a song themselves. Archival footage from Sheeran's childhood add to his wholesome appeal and help fans visualize the world he inhabits and sings about.

It's unlikely to hold the interest of those who aren't fans of Sheeran or interested in the music industry. Some parts of the process, like when he and a bunch of other songwriters are holed up in a house in Malibu, drag on for too long. And moments of genuine emotion are too few and far between to keep people hooked who aren't enjoying the music. But Sheeran fans will no doubt want to watch it over and over again.

Movie Details

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