Is 35 Years of Friends: Celebrating the Music of Michael W. Smith Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2019)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of 35 Years of Friends: Celebrating the Music of Michael W. Smith (2019), audiences are invited back into the world of various. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "With over 45 Dove awards, three Grammy awards, and an American Music award, Michael W. Smith has forever enshrined his mark in the music history books. Smith garnered yet another Grammy nod last Friday with a nomination for ‘Best Contemporary Christian Music Album’ for his latest worship effort, ‘Surrounded.’ Dubbed ‘35 Years of Friends: Celebrating The Music of Michael W. Smith,’ music lovers will experience over 35 artists, from all genres, performing a set list to include many of Smith’s 35 #1 hit singles. In addition, 2018 marks the 35th Anniversary of Smith’s Top 10 single “Friends,” which helped introduce his music to both secular and non-secular audiences. Smith once again shared the song with the world when he performed it at the Washington, D.C. memorial service for his dear friend, President George H.W. Bush, last Wednesday."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In 35 Years of Friends: Celebrating the Music of Michael W. Smith, even the presence of Michael W. Smith struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is 35 Years of Friends: Celebrating the Music of Michael W. Smith worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, 35 Years of Friends: Celebrating the Music of Michael W. Smith misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 117 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.