From directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, The Peanut Butter Falcon is a charming, relaxed film that grabs viewers attention immediately.
Peanut Butter Falcon follows Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down Syndrome, who escapes from his residential nursing home to pursue his idol, a small-town wrestler known as the Salt Water Redneck. Zak runs into Tyler (Shia LeBeouf), a fisherman who is in deep trouble with employers. While on the hunt for him, Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), Zak’s caretaker, runs into them both. She soons finds herself entangled in both Zak’s hunt for his wrestling career as the Peanut Butter Falcon and Tyler’s trouble.
Visually and musically, the film has the feel of a traditional indie comedy-drama, but audiences shouldn’t be fooled by Peanut Butter Falcon’s appearance. It might seem like a run-of-the-mill indie movie, but at its heart, it’s almost satirizing the indie film genre. The film succeeds in not taking itself too seriously—despite a penultimate scene which pulls on the heartstrings—though its plot could run a little too mushy or emotional.
The film’s sense of humor is excellent and as absurd as its title. Written by Nilson and Schwartz, the jokes are both traditional and laughable. They exploit LeBeouf’s ability to deadpan, as well as Gottsagen’s ability to do both physical comedy and earnest acting.
Gottsagen gives an emotional, charming and sincere performance as Zak, too. His character has nothing to lose, nothing to hide and is full of ambition. Though naive, he is not hopeless. Gottsagen’s portrayal of Zak, full of innate strength and kindness, is sure to leave viewers feeling full and inspired.
The film’s setting in the outer banks of North Carolina adds to the film’s unique-feel. Rural, swampy, yet also beach-like, the setting is almost a character unto itself. Background characters simply add to the atmosphere, and as the main characters interact with them, it solidifies the construction of the film’s world.
Arguably, the best thing about the film is how easy it is to understand. Though the film is much of a rollercoaster, it manages to tie up loose-ends in an optimistic final scene, which leaves audiences feeling good as they walk out of the theater. The Peanut Butter Falcon is the perfect film to go spend an evening alone with, or even to relax and enjoy with friends.
Rating: 3/5
