Cinephile No. 800 “The Peanut Butter Falcon”
Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM
Plot: “Zak runs away from his care home to make his dream of becoming a wrestler come true.” -IMDB
Review: My 800th journey to the cinema, focused on a unique escape. Zak (Zak Gottsagen) is a young man with a developmental disability. Due to a lack of resources in his community, he finds himself surrounded by the residents of a senior care facility. Despite his surroundings, Zak has bigger dreams. One day, he will break free. He will attend a wrestling camp, meet his favorite wrestler, and follow in his professional footsteps. To get there, all that is required is an escape through the window of his room and a little help; which gives us our first true laugh of this film and sets the tone for what is to come next.
Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) is a down on his luck fisherman who seems to burn bridges no matter where he turns. After torching a dock and a number of boats in a failed attempt to exact revenge, he finds himself on the run. Attempting to stay off main roads to avoid getting caught, he happens upon Zak in a chance encounter. Feeling empathetic or sorry for him, Tyler takes Zak under his wing and they decide to fly together. Learning of Zak’s desire to wrestle, Tyler promises to help him get to wrestling camp.
Along the way, beautiful and profound conversations about good versus evil, a proper wrestling name, and living life to its fullest take place. It is in these scenes that the emotional heart of this movie is born. As an audience member, we know these conversations can’t continue forever. Zak is wanted by Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), his aid from the senior care facility, and Tyler is wanted by the men who wish to pay him back for the livelihood he destroyed. At this point, it becomes a race against the clock for both of them.
Eleanor arrives first but is easily swayed to help Zak realize his dream. When they finally arrive at the home of the Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church), they confront a fallen hero. Not wanting this to be the end, Tyler leaps into action convincing the Redneck to offer some lessons and stage a match. On match day, Tyler’s path finally crosses with those he has wronged while Zak wrestles. In the midst of the chaos and violence, something pretty magical occurs and it delivers us to one of the most unique endings you’ll find this year.
In the end, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a wonderfully heartfelt movie that possesses ambitions larger than its budget. Not everything lands here, and things are often too simplistic, but it is still a fantastic escape worthy of you curling up on your couch for an evening in with friends.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
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