A Week Away

A Week Away is an inspiring faith-based musical drama from 2021, starring Kevin Quinn and Bailee Madison, along with Jahbril Cook, Kat Conner Sterling, Iain Tucker, and Sherri Shepherd in supporting roles. The film is directed by Roman White and written by Alan Powell and Kali Bailey. It's a prosaic but charming family movie filled with encouraging messages, fun musical numbers, and uplifting performances.

Kevin Quinn leads the cast in the role of Will Hawkins, a troubled teenager with a rebellious streak. Having lost his parents at a young age, Will has found himself hopping from one foster home to the next, not yet finding a place where he feels he truly belongs. After a run-in with the law puts Will on the brink of juvenile detention, he is offered an unlikely alternative - attend a week-long Christian summer camp.

Here's where our protagonist's troubles begin. He’s far from thrilled about this imposition, but faced with the choice of either going there or turning himself into juvenile detention, he reluctantly agrees to give the summer camp a try - resulting in a week away from the regular humdrum life he knows.

The beautifully envisioning camp, named Camp Aweegaway, set in the pleasant backdrop of the countryside and filled with a myriad of vibrant personalities and engaging activities, proves to be a life-changing experience for Will. Quinn's portrayal of Will's transformation throughout his stay at camp is both heartwarming and inspiring.

Bailee Madison puts on a praiseworthy act as Avery, the daughter of the camp director. Avery is the quintessential 'good girl' with a big heart and unbreakable faith. She is also one of the most popular girls at the camp, not only for her sweet and affable nature but also for her participation and dedication to the camp activities.

What makes A Week Away compelling is the chemistry between Will and Avery played by Quinn and Madison respectively. It strikes the right balance between teenage awkwardness, the blossoming of first love, and the support they provide for each other as they navigate through their own challenges.

Jahbril Cook powerfully portrays George, who becomes Will’s quirky and lovable roommate at the camp. His character injects a dose of humor and friendship into the narrative, giving it a lighter touch amidst the coming-of-age drama. In contrast, Kat Conner Sterling, who plays Presley, George’s love interest, supports the main storyline and herself goes through a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance.

The range of songs featured in the film is wide, hitting the mark with a mix of original tracks and classic Christian pop songs reimagined. Musical and dance routines are peppered throughout the storyline, which adds to the youthful exuberance that flows through the camp and the story itself. Every moment of passion and pathos is encapsulated beautifully through these sequences, making the film equally appealing to both the younger and mature audiences.

Although grounded in the Christian faith, A Week Away speaks to universal themes of forgiveness, friendship, and self-discovery. It showcases the importance of faith, not just in a religious sense, but also faith in oneself, in others, and in the journey of life itself. The movie skilfully balances religious undertones with its contemporary setting and characters, which keeps the story engaging and accessible to all audiences.

Overall, A Week Away serves up a nostalgic throwback to the tried-and-true formula of summer camp films, mixed with the dynamic energy of a musical. Layered within the catchy songs and group dances is a well-intentioned message about kinship, inner growth, second chances, and the ability to find hope in the darkest corners. For fans of musicals, teenage drama, or feel-good family movies, this 2021 film is certainly worth checking out.