Hillbilly Elegy Film Review

Directed by Ron Howard

Starring: Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso

Rated R for language throughout, drug content and some violence

Based on the novel of the same name by J.D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy is a new Netflix film directed by Ron Howard. In this film, J.D. (played by Gabriel Basso) is a Yale student is in the middle of interview week at school. In the middle of the week, J.D. gets a call concerning his mother, Bev (played by Amy Adams), being put in the hospital due to the use of drugs. With the news of his mother, J.D. returns to his hometown in Ohio and recalls all the memories he had of growing up in the town.

Upon researching this film, I saw Hillbilly Elegy has negative reviews. Upon seeing these reviews, I pondered on why the film has these reviews. While the film is not perfect, its also not a horrific film that deserves the negative reviews. Let’s start off with the acting. When you have actresses such as Glenn Close and Amy Adams, you know you are going to get powerhouse performances and that is what is delivered. Close and Adams, and even Basso who plays the main character, all deliver strong performances. The top notch performances are the strongest aspect of the film and make the film worth watching.

While I enjoyed the strong acting in the film, I did take issue with the story. The story revolves J.D. returning to his hometown in Ohio after receiving a call that his mother is on drugs again and is hospitalized. On the surface, it seems like a simple narrative. College students returns back home and recalls all the good and bad memories he had in town. But when the main character recalls his childhood, the story slows down a bit. Since almost half of the film consists of flashbacks, the film seems longer than it is. After the first few flashbacks, we understand the concept that J.D.’s childhood was awful. We understand why he went to the military and went to school in the northeast. The film didn’t have to force this narrative multiple times. I was more interested in the current story of J.D. trying to find a room for his mother and trying to get back to school on time.

I genuinely believe that if the film reduced the flashbacks and focused on the present day plot, it would have been a hit. I understand this film is based on a book and these flashbacks probably work for an autobiography, but it doesn’t work here unfortunately. After a few flashbacks, we understand that J.D.’s mother is a mess and his grandmother is the glue of the family. The film didn’t have to show this for half of the film because it just brings the film to a halt. Hillbilly Elegy is not the awful film many critics are leading you to believe and it is certainly not an Oscar worthy film (well, maybe a nomination for makeup and acting) but it has its moment. Hillbilly Elegy is worth a watch for audience members who enjoy these types of dramas, but be prepared to get a bit bored.

2.5/4

12 Angry Men Film Review

Directed by Sidney Lumet

Starring: Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Martin Balsam

12 Angry Men is a courtroom drama, directed by legendary director Sidney Lumet, that follows 12 jurors. These 12 jurors have to deliberate and decide whether a young man is guilty of murdering his father. All jurors except juror number eight (played by Henry Fonda) think the young man is guilty. What ensures is all the jurors talking it out and trying to figure out if the young man committed the murder.

Based on the teleplay by Reginald Rose, the film mostly plays out as a play. The setting of the film takes place in one room as the jury has to decide on their verdict. As the film takes place in one room, most of the film’s charm comes from the actors and the sharp dialogue. As the majority of the film takes place in one setting, its would be natural for all 12 characters to get lost in the mix. Instead, all the characters in the deliberation room have personality and they make the effort to stick out. This is mostly done due to the screenplay, written by Reginald Rose, as the background of the characters is sprinkled throughout the film. At the end of the film, you recall all the personalities such the foreman who is a high school coach or the quiet, but firm, stockbroker who wears glasses.

With the background of the characters established, we can tell how each character would react in each scenario. We get a mixture of calm and collective characters who wants to hear the facts and are willing to change sides. On the other hand, we also get a mixture of angry, hot headed characters who are quick to deliver a guilty verdict and are certain this man did the crime. We also see characters from different backgrounds react to the case and how their backgrounds have an effect to the case. Watching these characters interact is fantastic as we get to see different personalities and ideals clash. They bicker and argue and have different opinions when listening to the facts. They are not lying about the facts but see the facts from a different perspective and form different opinions.

The main star of the film is legendary actor Henry Fonda as juror eight. Fonda somehow transforms himself to an regular everyday man who is not certain that the young man is guilty and is willing to talk out the decision. Because of his relaxing demeanor and is willingness to have an open dialogue, this juror is able to slowly convince other jurors of a not guilty verdict. Fonda’s character is one we all strive for as his character is one that doesn’t get upset easily. He knows there is a possibility that an innocent man is being sentenced and disputes the facts as they do not add up. Juror eight’s polar opposite is juror 3 (played by Lee J. Cobb), a man who is loud and brash. Juror 8 sees the facts of the case, but uses these facts as a front for his decision as he actually uses personal reasons to make his guilty decision.

12 Angry Men is a classic film that is driven by its smart screenplay and top notched acting. Bound to one setting, the film doesn’t rely on twists or flashy camera movements to tell a story. 12 Angry Men is a simple story of 12 men having to decide whether or not a man is guilty of murder. It sticks to this plot and it does it well. The plot is delivered by actors who give personalities to their roles. They make their characters stand out in a film filled with a large cast. 12 Angry Men is one of those must watch classic films that everyone will enjoy.

4/4

The Peanut Butter Falcon Film Review

Directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz

Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottagen

Rated PG-13 for thematic content, language throughout, some violence and smoking

“The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a comedy-drama starring Shia LeBeouf and Zack Gottagen as two young men running away from their problems to find comfort in another place. LeBeouf plays Tyler, a young fisher, who is still haunted of the memory of his brother passing away, running away to Florida. Gottagen plays Zak, a young man with down syndrome who is escaping his home in a retirement home to chase his dream of becoming a wrestler. All this while two men and Zak’s friend, Eleanor, tries to find the pair.

The best way to describe to this film is sweet and heartwarming. The main leads of LeBeouf and Gottagen have incredible chemistry, I am almost certain that the pair are friends in real life. Gottagen plays Zak as a wonderful character who is destined to go to the wrestling school in a video he has watched so many times. Zak realizes he is young and full of energy and won’t let down syndrome get in the way of that. I certainly appreciate the type of character Zak is, every moment he graces the screen, it was a pleasure to watch.

On the other hand, LeBeouf’s Tyler is a man who is running away from his problems and wants to start anew in Florida. Tyler had just recently been laid off from work and the memory of his brother dying is still fresh in his mind. But when Tyler meets Zak, he is almost reminded of his brother and almost sees Zak as a brother. It is the smart writing that creates this incredible chemistry between the pair. Not once when I was watching this film did I feel like I saw two actors on screen play characters. I saw two friends who were on an adventure.

Coming into this film, I did not know what to expect. I read great reviews of the film, but that does not mean that I will enjoy the film as well. But when I left the theater, I was surprised how much enjoyment I had. For most films, there is a section where things begin to slow down and pacing falls flat. I never got bored or felt that things were slowing down. Each scene of the film was well paced and very humorous, when it needed to be.

The rest of the cast are top notch. Dakota Johnson, who plays Zak’s caretaker, plays her role very well. Every moment she is on screen, especially the last act, she has fun with the role. She was a joy to watch and this role proves that Johnson is capable of acting. John Hawkes is also in the film but his role is very limited. I was surprised to see Bruce Dern and Thomas Haden Church in the film as well. Both actors play their respective roles with much charm, both actors have great scenes with Gottsagen. In addition to the great cast, there is a fun little cameo that most wrestling fans will admire. But in short, there is not a false note in the cast.

“The Peanut Butter Falcon” was a shock to me. I did not realize how much I would have fun I would have with this film. It’s a shame that this film will not reach the masses but it certainty deserves to be viewed. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a humorous and touching film with exceptional casting, that certainly deserves to be viewed.

4/4