So what’s in a title?
It can be a lot when it comes to lesser-known and/or independent movies.
Take this week’s new feel-good, comedic drama called ‘THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON‘.
When I mention the title to people, the results I’ve been getting are—well, frankly blank stares.
That’s a shame because the film is really quite good.
Of course, the title doesn’t do much for it—UNLESS YOU’VE SEEN IT!
Get the picture?
Let me just say that the movie has already opened in a handful of major markets and has scored an impressive 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes—and deservedly so!
So what’s it all about? And why all the praise?
‘THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON’ is the simple story of a young man with Down Syndrome living in a nursing facility.
His dream is—and always has been—professional wrestling. And he gets a step closer to fulfillment after breaking out of the institution and hooking up with an outlaw fisherman played by Shia LaBeouf.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey from North Carolina towards Florida to find the pro-wrestling school of his hero, the Salt Water Redneck portrayed by Thomas Haden Church.
Some reviewers are calling it, Huck Finn Meets Rain Man.
Well maybe, but there’s far more to it here.
What really helps this simple story are the film’s excellent performances including that by LaBeouf, arguably the best of his career.
And Dakota Johnson who cared for the man-boy at the institution from which he bailed, that’s now trying to track him down and save him. Also in rare form is Bruce Dern as the inmate who arranged the getaway.
Special kudos to newcomer Zack Gottsagen as the Down Syndrome-afflicted runaway who provides the real glue to the story.
Not much more I can tell you here, except to promise that you WILL enjoy THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON no matter HOW weird its title.
Hey, you may even thank me for recommending it…….
It opens this weekend in limited engagements.
My grade: B+
