News of the World

2020 • 118 minutu

Film honi buruz

Five years after the end of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks), a widower and veteran of three wars, now moves from town to town as a non-fiction storyteller, sharing the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds, devastating catastrophes, and gripping adventures from the far reaches of the globe. In the plains of Texas, he crosses with Johanna (Helena Zengel, System Crasher), a 10-year-old taken by the Kiowa tribe six years earlier and raised as one of their own. Johanna, hostile to a world she's never experienced, is being returned to her biological aunt and uncle against her will. Kidd agrees to deliver the child where the law says she belongs. As they travel hundreds of miles into the unforgiving wilderness, the two will face tremendous challenges of both human and natural forces as they search for a place either can call home.

Balorazioak eta iritziak

If you live in Texas this movie is sorely disappointing. They're in "Dallas" and there are MOUNTAINS everywhere. The entire movie there are mountains. Anyone in Texas knows only faaaar west/south Texas has mountains and has that deserty look. It takes you straight out of the movie. It's quite obvious they filmed in New Mexico. As to the story, I thought it was a little boring. The fights were meh, anticlimactic and lame. Plenty of hollywood virtue signaling too. Transitions were poor at best.

Disappointing. This movie is based on a book by Paulette Jiles. The book is amazing and Jiles is a true wordsmith. Sadly, this movie leaves out so much of what makes News of the World a great story. And then it adds or edits events which are not in the book. These additions only weaken the unfolding tale of two very complex characters. I usually find that Tom Hanks stars in films with captivating story lines. He had the opportunity to embrace what was captivating in News of the World, but failed to do so. Read the book!!!

So disappointed! While I'm of the opinion that Tom Hanks makes really good movies, this one fell flat for me. What I liked: the scenery was beautiful. The Western feel and terrain felt appropriate and timely. The acting was good. What I didn't like: The storyline itself wasn't up to par. It took way too long to get where it was going and when it finally got there, it was too little too late. The pace was sluggish to epic proportions. I felt like a kid in the back seat of my mom's car: "Are we there yet?" The movie could have been about 20 minutes shorter and no worse for wear. The relationships the movie tried to forge despite all Mr. Hanks' and the rest of the cast's efforts seemed forced (until the very, VERY end). I love movies where I can become at least somewhat emotionally invested in the characters, but around minute 55, I realized I just didn't care. Oh well. Maybe Mr. Hanks' next film will be better.