Directed by: Tyler Nilson & Mike Schwartz
Starring: Shia LaBeouf
Zack Gottsagen
Dakota Johnson
Bruce Dern
Thomas Haden Church
John Hawkes
Jon Bernthal
Written by: Tyler Nilson & Mike Schwartz
Rated: PG-13
Run time: 93 minutes
(2019)
8/10 Would Recommend
After running away from his nursing home, Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down Syndrome who aspires to one day be a professional wrestler, makes friends with Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a crab fisherman on the run from a few dangerous rivals. Zak’s caretaker and friend, Eleanore (Dakota Johnson), chases her patient down the east coast as his new friend leads him to Florida, where he can train at his idol, Salt Water Redneck’s, wrestling school.
“The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a cute adventure about down to earth characters that feels like a grown-up “Stand by Me.”
The films cinematography is outstanding. Detail and construction of setting, or, allowing setting to be a driving character, has been common with many arthouse films over the past few years. It’s shot beautifully for a film with so few locations. In scenes out on open water the camera shows mostly wide shots, to make the scene feel much more open. When the raft that the characters ride travels through smaller bodies of water, the camera uses tighter shots, so that the scene looks narrower. As the story progresses the setting takes viewers further into the deep south, and it’s enlightening to see the filmmakers interpretation. Most films don’t take place in dirty backwoods, isolate beaches, and open trails. The film carries over archetype characters and stereotypes of southern states. Similar to “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” the film had moments of religious undertones, with characters on the run and covered in sweat.
Without spoiling the film, there are a couple of scenes that could take you out of the story. For the most part, the movie is pretty well-grounded in reality and does its best job at establishing a connection with viewers that’ll make most people feel like they’re in the same shoes as its characters. But, some scenes, while exciting, could make you scratch your head.
Much like his performances in “American Honey” and “Fury,” LaBeouf once again delivers a great physical performance. Many talented actors are able to tell viewers more about the character they’re playing through silence and body language, rather than the words on the script. Throughout his recent filmography LaBeouf has become better and better at doing this. Without any spoken exposition in the film, you can tell that, in some way, Tyler is a troubled character. LaBeouf does a good job at letting us know this through the way he carries himself. He doesn’t have to come out and say it.
Dakota Johnson gives one of the better performances in her career, though her role doesn’t shine through in any way. Her relationship with Zak his heartwarming, but when the film cuts back to her at the nursing home, the pace begins to slow down. It isn’t until she meets up with the other two characters that film explores her character more; but even then, Eleanore is primarily used as a force to strengthen the bond between Zak and Tyler and give a different conflict to the story.
The real star of the film is Zack Gottsagen. His character will leave a smile on the faces
of viewers. Zak is a thrill-seeker at heart and just needs some extra help to make his passions a reality. His positive outlook on life under terrible circumstances is what makes his character so much fun to watch.
The film assumes that people view others with Down Syndrome differently. It does a great job of spreading a positive message; but it could’ve taken a more subtle approach. Everyone that interacts with Zak, other than Eleanore, Tyler, and Carl (Bruce Dern), treat him poorly and/or use offensive slurs.
It’s a criticism that might not bother everyone. Other than that, the film is a charming story that uses a very traditional template (with a few tweaks), about weary travelers who simply want more in life.
The Film Section 