The Peanut Butter Falcon Review
PG-13: Thematic content, language throughout, some violence and smoking
Studio: Roadside Attractions, Armory Films, Lucky Treehouse, Bona Fide Productions
Run Time: 1 Hr and 98 Minutes
Screenwriters/Directors: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottasgen, John Hawkes, Bruce Dern, Jon Bernthal, Thomas Haden Church
The Peanut Butter Falcon is an adventure story set in the world of a modern Mark Twain that begins when Zak, a young man with Down syndrome, runs away from a nursing home where he lives to chase his dream of becoming a professional wrestler and attending the wrestling school of The Salt Water Redneck. Through circumstances beyond their control, Tyler, a small-time outlaw on the run, becomes Zak's unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky, find God, catch fish, and convince Eleanor — a kind nursing home employee with a story of her own — to join them on their journey.
Before my final day of SXSW, I heard about this film named The Peanut Butter Falcon starring Shia LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson which won the Audience Award the previous night. Fresh from seeing another LaBeouf feature film, Honey Boy (which rocked me to my core during Sundance), I was undeniably excited to see this. Though I am completing this review months later than expected (I am just one person running this site after all), I have to say, this is Shia LaBeouf’s year and we’re all just witnessing it. This won’t be released until August and Honey Boy doesn’t come out until November. Whoever has seen both films like I have can attest that we are living in Shia LaBeouf’s year of redemption, and boy do I have nothing but fascination and respect for the man. This is one of the most charming performances of his career, and one of the best I’ve seen this year overall. Hell, I still think about this movie daily. It’s one of my favorites of 2019.
With the recent string of failures in the buddy flick genre centered on unlikely odd-coupled heroes (ranging from Men in Black International to Shaft and Stuber), it took a thief and a wrestling-obsessed dreamer to show the big dogs how it’s done. Set in one of the cruelest parts of the country, a young man with Down syndrome named Zak wants to become a wrestling star and runs away from the retirement home where he is placed. He forms a brotherly bond with a fisherman caught in bad waters and throughout you see this friendship grow as they travel to Florida so Zak can meet his wrestling icon and learn to become a champion.
The film immediately grabs your attention and establishes the kind of comedy it is and it’s thoroughly hilarious. Given its plot, the movie brilliantly manages to be funny without being offensive. While it’s mostly held together with physical humor and sight gags, the writing, the charismatic performances, and the chemistry (a key element to buddy comedies that Mainstream Hollywood comedies have somehow forgotten) between the leads benefit the jokes.
The film is buoyed by dynamic Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottasgen, and both are shining stars in their own right.
If this was a Hollywood film, they would’ve pulled a Radio and had an actor portray a person with Down syndrome. But the filmmakers took a chance on Gottasgen and let him shine in the limelight. With this being his feature film debut and leading role, Gottasgen delivers an incredible performance full of heart, charm, and emotion. This is his breakthrough performance. Capturing the requirements to hit all the emotional beats and show off his comedic side, Gottasgen carries this picture like a force and delivers true strength. Then... Shia Labeouf.
Shia LaBeouf has proven to be a charmer through his performances, but this one is truly incredible. He has this energetic high-spirit energy that is so delightful and endearing to watch that you can’t help but love him. Seeing him as a big brother figure who is charming and lovable is the best palette cleanse after seeing him portray an abusive father — more specifically, his own abusive father. The chemistry built between Tyler and Zak is special and the way that director duo Nilson and Schwartz present it is heartwarming and meaningful. When the bond of brotherhood is struck, it moves you to the core.
The bond they have in this film made me think of the bond Jane Lynch and Lauren Potter had on Glee. For those who remember, Sue Sylvester (the bitter evil cheerleading coach who served as the antagonist of the show) had a sidekick named Becky, a student with Down syndrome. With all the fire and hatred Sue unleashed onto the people of McKinley High school, the only person she showed love and respect to (besides her sister) was Becky. Their dynamic — seeing the human side of Sylvester — was one of the major reasons I loved that character. That same humanized spirit is present here and goes in depth with the relationship formed between the two.
The film is structured like a typical road trip movie where it’s two misfits traveling from point A to point B while it takes on the basis of Huckleberry Finn. The heart of this movie is at such a perfect and profound place that, not only does it open doors for actors with disabilities, but it adds a welcomed revolutionized nuance to the buddy comedy genre as well.
Mother Suspirium herself, Dakota Johnson, stars in this mood and she brings a great balance to the story. As she portrays Eleanor, the caregiver who must track Zak down, Johnson delivers a good performance and manages to fit well amongst the leads, for she even has a well-written arc that is exceptionally thought-provoking.
Given that this story is set in the south — the most dangerous place with the most judgmental people around — the movie plays it safe with the setting. While some people are cruel to Zak and his disability, it’s unrealistically light. The predicament alone where his freedom is limited because of his condition is enough to show he’s discriminated, but most of the people he and Tyler meet on their journey are kind people who help them advance on their journey. It’s presented as a more goofy setting where characters or just bumpkin country hicks (but with a heart of gold).
The film has a Black area where a Black character come in and… uhhhh... that’s where the stereotypes come in as this old black dude with a southern accent trudges through the screen and gives the leads a baptism as gospel music blares in the background. The entire time I’m thinking, “okay this serves little purpose to the plot”. While it’s brief, I found myself rolling my eyes heavily during that scene, but I did get a few laughs during it.
A well-told story with unexpected heart to match, The Peanut Butter Falcon swoops in and charms your pants off. Revitalizing the buddy-comedy genre with this welcoming representation of the lead, this is one of the most charming comedies of the year, and possibly one of the best buddy comedies of all time.
RATING: 4/5 | 88%
