MOVIE REVIEW: NEWS OF THE WORLD

 

Five years after the end of the Civil War, Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd crosses paths with a 10-year-old girl taken by the Kiowa people. Forced to return to her aunt and uncle, Kidd agrees to escort the child across the harsh and unforgiving plains of Texas. However, the long journey soon turns into a fight for survival as the traveling companions encounter danger at every turn -- both human and natural.

Director: Paul Greengrass

Cast: Tom Hanks, Helena Zengel, Michael Covino, Bill Camp, Michael Covin, Fred Hechinger, Neil Sandilands, Thomas Francis Murphy

Release Date: December 25, 2020

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, thematic material and some language

Runtime: 1 h 58 min

Review:

 News of the World is Paul Greengrass and Tom Hanks second collaboration and it couldn't be anymore different than Captain Phillips.  News of the World won't leave your nerves frazzled like that film and Greengrass pulls back his usual kinetic style in favor or a slower more pensive approach.  There are plenty of dusty vistas on display along with a plethora of scenic sunsets to appreciate throughout.  The story itself is a fairly basic conceit and this film is more about the journey than the destination.  Its easy to get some strong True Grit vibes throughout especially with Tom Hanks paternal but grizzled performance here. His Captain Kidd is a weather worn man whose haunted by his past, it's a measured and layered turn. Newcomer Helena Zengel turns in an impressive naturalistic performance which is the linchpin to the entire film.  Zengel and Hanks have a natural repour together and they serve as the lifeblood of the film.  Their relationship is central to the entire film even though you won't find many surprises as the film plays out in a fairly predictable path.  In their trek they meet the kind of characters that typically populate these type of westerns with the good and bad guys being instantly recognizable.  News of the World isn't a film that's interested in trailblazing any new territory but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's a well made western that feels like comfort food.

B+