Films like NEWS OF THE WORLD are an instant reminder that I would not have lasted a week in the 1870’s. The side story to me is the conditions the early settlers had to endure. Relaxing after a long day never seemed to be an option. With that as a backdrop this story of a post civil war veteran agreeing to travel hundreds of miles across an undeveloped Texas to deliver a young girl to her aunt and uncle, seems a monumental task. This also gives the film much of its heart and soul. To do something for someone when it is easy is one thing. To do it in horrific conditions is the mark of a true warrior. Tom Hanks is fantastic – though nothing outside his comfort zone – in this Paul Greengrass directed period piece. It is Tom’s first western – if you don’t count his role as Woody – and Hanks has the ability to ooze empathy and make us feel for the same passions he does regardless of the surroundings. That is a lot of what connects this film with its audience. (continued below)
FROM DIRECTOR PAUL GREENGRASS, UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS TOM HANKS IN NEWS OF THE WORLD. RATED PG-13 for violence, disturbing images, thematic material and some language. IN THEATERS NOW. ON DEMAND JANUARY 15TH.
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Synopsis: Five years after the end of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Hanks), a 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 paths with Johanna (Helena Zengel, System Crasher), a 10-year-old taken in by the Kiowa people 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 that either can call home.
(Commentary continued) The story is sprinkled with action but much of it is the two main characters getting from point A to point B. At times this feels monotonous and a tad repetitive. Each peril is unique but has the same formula. Kidd and Johanna not only speak different languages but are from very different worlds. It takes a while for this orphan twice removed to trust Jefferson. The tension between them is conveyed well as each actor delivers emotion outside the normal arena of speech. Zengel has the task of connecting with us through other forms of communication and for the most part nails it. I was frustrated with her character at first. Yes, I know that makes me sound very intolerant.. she is a child in a horrible circumstance. I get it. I warmed up to her quickly and much of that had to do with Zengel’s ability to make me.
The cinematography in this film is spot on. It is hard to think of areas of North Texas unpaved but I immediately felt like I was in the 1800’s. There is a lot of dirt and dust and wood. The surroundings really do become another character. As I mentioned I am not naive enough to think I would have faired well back then. Much of the area was still lawless and it was up to the bullies of the towns to make the rules. If someone wanted something they often just took it unless you were strong enough to defend it. The script adds these elements into the journey to show that what Kidd was doing was not something to take lightly.
I went in to the film expecting to sort of appreciate it. But as the minutes past I found I liked it more and more. It is a moving story if you allow it to be. If you want a lot of shoot em ups and yee hawing you will be disappointed – I wanted neither of those by the way – but it still does have much of the old west to celebrate. It is rated PG-13 for thematic material and mild violence. Fans of Hanks will appreciate how he doesn’t stray too far from what we expect. He is one of the greatest actors of our generation for a reason. He knows how to endear a character to an audience.
NEWS OF THE WORLD is in theaters if you can find one and should be available on other platforms soon after. I hope so at least. This is a great film for this time of year and should be seen by as many as possible.
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