Fan review of "Show Em What You're Made Of"
By Melodye Joy, creative writer
Note; Writing a review on this film a second time, after seeing the final cut in comparison to the screener, was more difficult than before.
Well, last night I saw the final cut of Stephen Kijak’s doc/drama “Show Em What You’re Made Of”.
The story takes us on a journey alongside five brothers who’s struggles and triumphs brought them closer together, “21 years in the making”.
A journey home impacts the group as ones fate is decided through the loss of a parent and a journey that took the oldest of the five from ninja turtle to ninja performer. Growing up in the country, like most who do so, all he wanted to do was get out. Funny how as you grow up, all you want to do is come home because whatever you sought was there all along. At least home included what matters most, family. The journey home wasn’t going back, it was a heartfelt reminder that gave him the strength to go forward. His father imploring him to continue the journey, the oldest of the five came home and left soon after, finding home was within his heart all along. Using lifes lessons as inspiration, he journied into the chaotic world of fame.
Learning a new language before some learned how to drive and traveling the world when they have barely hit high school was a fast track to success with little time to consider any caution. “They tell you how to get to the top but they don’t tell you how to stay there.” Hopping along, the journey continued through each young mans hometowns.
The sweetest of these had some funny stories between the struggles of fame. Pets that multiplied and soon became dinner, according to the southern upbringing ways of his daddy. Spending time at a home grown up in and hearing stories of first kisses and bloody banana trucks gave some lightheartedness to some tense situations this small family of five went through.
As the five continue down memory lane, passions abound through performances in dance, theater, and music.
Then came the fateful day that a manager informed these brothers that five new siblings were being formed. Betrayal. Remember those bunnies that became dinner? What do bunnies have to do with brothers you ask? Well, guess you could say they multiply like rabbits when a money hungry, deceptive manager is involved. Though you can’t rid yourself of an unwanted brother that was nsync with some new kids, I must say this part of the journey was quite intriguing. What do you do when the person closest to you rips the rug right out from under you? You get up, dust yourself off and try again.
The youngest of the five had a difficult upbringing. Laugher and love shattered by parents screaming and a run with some rather colorful youth. Finding your place in this world when you were seen as the outcast, the nerd and to your closest family, a cash in can be quite disheartening to a child. Because his family saw dollar signs and no longer saw a son, this brother from another struggled with a decision that would terrify most adults! Fate was in the hands of his 11 year old self. “Who puts a decision in the hands of an 11yr old?”, he quips as he is reminded of the time he had to choose between a beloved mouse and a group that may not make it out of high school gymnasiums.
Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, Miami nights and Disney World. It is also the home of the biggest scheme in Florida and perhaps the music industry. What should have torn these five brothers apart, brought them closer together.
A music teacher comments to a young man in Lexington, KY, “You can make something with that gift”. Only God knew where such a gift would lead him. Though the enemy tries to keep him down with heath scares, God triumphs and 20 years later we find this young man performing for fans and friends alike.
Journeying through an empty shell of a home once held high, these brothers find themselves feeling uneasy. Loss. Loss of loved ones, loss of family, loss of friends. It happens to the best of us. But never fear and never loose faith! Holding their heads high, they risked it all to use their voices once again. Some voices changed, some were louder than others and some sat in silence, rebellion boiling within them.
Sex, drugs and rock in roll. The rockstar life. That is where a final journey took the second youngest of the family. Up’s and downs were met with loving anger. Had the oldest not (literally) knocked some sense into his baby brother, 20 years would have never come to flourish. Taking on the burden with him, the four journeyed alongside their brother.
For better or worse. This may be a traditional vow among couples, but it certainly fits within the strength of a family that was formed through tough adult decisions and a managers deception.
As the film went on, Stephen Kijak took us on a journey through 20 years of unknown to fandom. Never in anyone’s mind did any of the five expect such a large impact from high schools to arenas, Europe to the U.S.
For everyone that had a doubt, for anyone that tried to take them down…
These five brothers showed em what they’re made of.
This is the story of the Backstreet Boys; Kevin Richardson, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, AJ McLean, & Nick Carter.backstreetboys
IPhone images ©Melodramatik Photography
