A worldly storyteller is charged with returning a wild young girl
to the only family she has left, and bonds with her along the way. WESTERN
|
News of the World (2020)Directed by Paul Greengrass
Written by Paul Greengrass and Luke Davies Starring Tom Hanks, Helena Zengel, Elizabeth Marvel, Fred Hechinger, Michael Angelo Covino, Gabriel Ebert, Bill Camp Based on the novel by Paulette Jiles |
A much-needed antidote for these trying times is Tom Hanks starring in a western about a man who tells uplifting true stories from around the world in order to inspire hope in ordinary people. You don't need much more than that. News of the World is a fine movie that focuses on a period of American history we rarely ever see or talk about. The Reconstruction, when Union soldiers occupied Southern states in order to ensure a peaceful transition back to the Union. Hanks plays a former Confederate militia man, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, who wants to be done with the war and all the darkness that came with it.
Captain Kidd happens upon a young girl named Johanna (Zengel), who was captured by the Kiowa people years earlier and raised among them. She only speaks Kiowa and wants to go back to her people. Captain Kidd takes it upon himself to get her back to her German relatives, a 400 mile journey. Along the way, he and Johanna learn about each other's language and bond with each other, facing obstacles like bandits and carriage accidents. It's a tad predictable, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. News of the World is an optimistic film that reminds us all to focus on the things that give us hope. Whether it be a good movie or family and friends or a true story that made you smile. It's important to outshine the negative with the positive, especially these days. I think people can take a lot of good things from this one, and I urge them to see it. |