I’m a sucker for Disney’s High School Musical series, which is probably why I like A Week Away so much. Yes, the plots and settings and characters are different, but the vibes are the same. Even though I wouldn’t call A Week Away a cinematic masterpiece, it’s definitely worth watching—especially if you’re a fellow fan of the High School Musical series.
Corny but Cute
A Week Away is pretty cheesy, but it’s also heartwarming (especially the ending). After committing a string of crimes, a teen in the foster care system named Will is offered the opportunity to spend a week at a Christian camp instead of going to juvenile detention. Even though he agrees to attend the camp, he quickly realizes he’ll have to keep his real identity—including his checkered past—a secret if he wants to impress Avery, the camp director’s daughter.
Avery has struggles of her own though. As the camp director’s daughter, she feels like she has to be perfect all the time—to put on a brave face so no one will know how insecure she feels deep down. Her mom’s recent death makes it especially hard for her to put on a brave face. Nonetheless, she tries to be positive and perky. She quickly falls for Will, whose charm is difficult for her to resist—until she discovers that he’s been lying to her about who he is. (Don’t worry though—everything works out in the end.)
In addition to the fun vibes (and the great soundtrack and choreography) of A Week Away, I like that it addresses important concepts, like friendship, honesty, identity, and faith. Viewers won’t hear the gospel explicitly, but they may become curious about God’s love as Will, Avery, and other campers learn how to show it (and receive it).
Definitely a Downside
Unfortunately, A Week Away has a major flaw. There are a few questionable lines of dialogue partway through the movie. When Will and Avery are talking about her mom’s death, Avery essentially says, “Well, I guess I don’t know that I’ll see her in heaven one day, but I choose to believe that I will.”
Honestly, this line makes me cringe because Christianity isn’t a true belief system but the true belief system. It’s not like there are “truth options” we can choose from! Jesus is the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). Perhaps the scriptwriters didn’t mean anything heretical when they wrote this line. I hope they didn’t! But at the very least, I wish they’d taken a stronger stance on the Christian faith—not because it’s a “viable option” for what’s true but because it’s the truth.
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them [those who do evil], nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:14-16 ESV)
If you have an opportunity to share your faith, take it! I realize this is easier said than done, but it’s true nonetheless. Providing a gentle, respectful explanation of why you believe what you believe can point a nonbeliever to the truth. I only wish Avery (or her scriptwriters) hadn’t wasted the opportunity to stand firm on the gospel.
Eyes Wide Open
I know my thoughts on A Week Away are quite diverse, so you might be wondering if I would actually recommend it to you. I do think you should try it (knowing it will be very corny and contain a few plot holes) because it’s a clean movie with some positive themes. But I also think it’s important to think about the theology as you watch it. Though the vibes are great, the theology isn’t.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 