Directed by: Tyler Nilson & Mike Schwartz
Release date: August 23rd, 2019
Rating: 7/10
The Peanut Butter Falcon is an interesting film. It stars Shia LeBeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Zack Gottsagen and centers around the three of them on a journey to get to a wrestling school so Zac (Gottsagen) can fulfill his dream of being a wrestler. First off, the cinematography is fantastic. The wide shots in particular really convey a sense of openness as Tyler (LeBeouf) and Zac travel through the backwoods. Camera framing and lighting are very well done throughout this film and its pleasing to the eye. Shia LeBeouf and Zack Gottsagen are the standouts of this movie. Their chemistry as a Down syndrome person and a fisherman on-the-run is fantastic. Elenor (Johnson) is also great, but doesn't end up joining them until about a two-thirds of the way into the film. I would say that the film probably needs a slightly longer run time. The third act feel a little bit rushed when compared to the amount of time we spend in the first and second acts. I would say that maybe another 20-30 minutes spent on solidifying the third act would make the film better. Characters are also introduced and then left behind very quickly. I don't mind when a film introduces a supporting character and then we never see them again. But, back to the runtime, some of those characters in this film aren't given a lot of time on screen and arguably hardly add any character development to the characters. One is introduced solely to get parts for a boat. I think, with a little more time and a little more writing, that character could've added a lot of development for both Zac and Tyler, Tyler especially. That being said, this is still a fun story that takes the viewer on somewhat of an emotional journey where characters struggle with identity and purpose. I love this kind of filmmaking. In a word, it's honest. It's about three people trying to find their way through life. This modern Mark Twain story is a feel-good film that shows us that friends truly are the family you choose.