The Peanut Butter Falcon: Review

Sometimes all you want to do is curl up with a feel good film. Something to make you smile and laugh and forget about all the worries in the world. I've always been a lover of these kind of films which usually include goofy comedies, coming of age films, musicals and action films.

However, as much as I love feel-good fodder there is nothing that compares to a bittersweet indie flick for me. Something that is only as feel-good as it is also quietly tragic, where my joy can come from seeing a character succeed in a world that I recognise rather than operate mindlessly in a world that I don't.

Peanut Butter Falcon is one of my favourite feel-good films of the past year, maybe even decade.

1. Plot

Peanut Butter Falcon is about a man with down syndrome called Zak. Despite being a young man the lack of appropriate care means Zak is kept in an old people's home where he feels trapped and isolated with only a few elderly friends and wrestling DVD's for company.

One day, with a little help Zak manages to flee the care home and stows away with an illegal fisherman on the run Tyler. Over time the two form an unlikely friendship as Tyler tries to help Zak accomplish his dream of finding an obscure wrestling school in Florida and his wrestling hero The Saltwater Redneck. With angry hillbillies coming after Tyler and care home staff after Zak the two must learn to trust each other. Tyler helps Zak to realise his true potential while Zak helps Tyler process his grief for his recently deceased brother.

The plot may seem bizarre with a whole host of quirky characters along the way but that's part of what makes the film seem so joyful. This is not a pity flick about an actionless disabled lead. This is about the empowerment and the will of someone with down syndrome getting a film just as funny, thought provoking and exciting as he deserves. I only learnt afterwards that the film was written for Zak (also the actor's name) which might be why the tone feels so perfect. It doesn't shy away from reality but isn't afraid to be out-there in a way that is very unique to this film and this character.

2. Performances

The performances in this film are what really elevate it to something special. Zak is fantastic with great comedic timing and a soulfulness which really connected. Dakota Johnson was also brilliant as one of the care staff at the old folks home. It is also arguably Shia LeBeouf's strongest performance I have seen (I am yet to watch Honey Boy although I've heard he's great in that too).

The truth is without the groundedness of these performances the film simply wouldn't have worked. It's one of those magical combinations which just gets the chemistry between the characters right. I felt that friendship between them and completely believed in it. A lot of this will be down to the script but the contributions of the cast and the direction cannot be overlooked.

3. Conclusion

I love this film. It's a perfect example of a film earning it's reaction from the audience and not just planting it there or making it mindlessly easy. It's a feel good film which relies on emotional honesty which is a rare thing.

The film is beautifully shot with a gorgeous colour pallette which uses a lot of soft natural light.

In summary this is a film which is a joy to watch and now it's on Netflix there isn't much reason not to!

8/10