- by Shea Angus
2019 was a particularly great year for film. More and more as time goes on we are finding lower budget indie films cutting through the noise and making a splash into the mainstream. While films like the now Oscar-winning Parasite take a serious look at class differences (in brilliant and effective ways), Peanut Butter Falcon is another fantastic small budget film that flew under the radar, but was one of the most heartwarming films not just of 2019, but of the last decade.
We are lucky enough to have a screening of Peanut Butter Falcon in Owen Sound at the Roxy Theatre on March 5th to raise money for the REACH centre which provides full days programming for youth and young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Please check out my spoiler-free review and join us at the Roxy on March 5th to enjoy a great movie and support an even greater cause!
The film tells the story of a young man with Down syndrome named Zak (Zack Gottsagen), who was given up by his family and now lives in a retirement home in North Carolina, under the care of Eleanor (Dakota Johnson). Zak dreams of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck and so one night he breaks out and eventually meets Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) and the two set off on a journey together.
I saw this film twice last year and both times, from start to finish, you could not take the smile off my face.
The chemistry among the three leads in this film is entirely authentic. The cast have spoken in interviews about their connection and Shia LaBeouf in particular discussed how working with Zack was a life changing experience for him and you can feel that on screen.
While on paper the plot may seem overly familiar (clearly inspired by Huckleberry Finn), the setting, characters, and the writing in particular make this movie memorable and allow it to linger with you long after the credits stop rolling. The brilliance in the writing is that it can deliver these moments without feeling heavy handed or forced. It also comes from the amazing chemistry the actors share.
The themes of redemption and friendship are at the core of Peanut Butter Falcon as characters grow and come to terms with past tragedy in their lives while discovering family, love, and acceptance in one another. The beautiful scenery and shots only work to complement and enhance the performances on screen.
If you want to watch a movie with equal measures of heart, comedy, and drama, look no further than the Peanut Butter Falcon. Currently sitting at a glowing score of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, this was one of the best movies of last year and I would highly encourage you to see it on March 5th when it comes to the Roxy Theatre!
Shea Angus is the creative mind of Big Mouth Marketing, and we're delighted to have him sharing his love of film with us on the Owen Sound Hub.
