Review: The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

I'm just going to jump ahead and say it - I was a tad underwhelmed by The Peanut Butter Falcon. No, it is not a bad movie by any sense, however, I guess I personally fell into the trap of modern review-hype and went into this one with overly high expectations. As many reviews have put it - this is the epitome of a feel good movie and that is the main takeaway I had upon leaving the theatre: I did 'feel good' but really not altogether that much else.

Even the story behind the film has a 'feel good' quality to it and could possibly provide the basis for its own film. A few years back, director/writer duo, Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, were at a camp for disabled actors and there they met Zack Gottsagen, a young male with Down Syndrome, who expressed interest in making a film with them. Following a proof-of-concept short, the filmmakers received funding to make The Peanut Butter Falcon. The story - a mix of the Huckleberry Finn tale mixed with some semi-biographical qualities - follows Zak as he breaks out of the retirement home that he has been forced to live in and goes on the lamb with Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a troubled young man who has recently gotten into trouble with some local trappers. After Zak's escape, Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), who works at the home, is ordered to go out to find Zak and return him. There is a strong supporting cast here featuring John Hawkes, Thomas Haden Church, Jon Bernthal and Bruce Dern all of whom give entertaining and memorable performances.

The film has a unique charm that slowly builds through its first act. There are beats near the beginning (and near the end) that veer into the rather-dark territory, however, for the most part, once the film gets its legs when Zak and Tyler meet up, it is a quite light and rompous affair. It is commendable to see that Zak's disability is represented fairly and respectfully in the film, in that it is not focused too heavily upon in a melodramatic way. Both he and Tyler are engrossing characters with well-developed backstories and motivations - and, in that, both actors give powerful performances. Johnson's Eleanor fares a little worse and she is unfortunately given less to work with in the film compared to the other two.

All in all, The Peanut Butter Falcon is a successful film and an entertaining, comical and moving adventure. It is hard not to be swept into the compelling performances given by the cast and the charm that oozes out of most of its scenes. However, when the credits roll, I personally couldn't help but want just a little more from the film - something that would have pushed it from being an hour-and-a-half of escapist fun to something with more purpose and gravitas.