Film Review: "News of the World" (2020).

"Find Where You Belong" in News of the World. This Western drama film directed by Paul Greengrass, written by Luke Davies and based on the 2016 novel of the same nameby Paulette Jiles. Five years after the end of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, 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. On the plains of Texas, he crosses paths with Johanna, a ten-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.

In May 2017, 20th Century Fox bought the film rights to Jiles' novel with Davies to pen the script and Tom Hanks set to star. In February 2019, Greengrass was announced as director. Fox was originally going to make this film through its Fox 2000 label. However, in March, as a result of the Disney/Fox merger, Fox 2000 was retired by Disney, and would only proceed with Fox-produced films already in production. Universal Studios subsequently bought the film rights to this project. By early September, Thomas Francis Murphy, Mare Winningham, Elizabeth Marvel, Bill Camp and newcomer Helena Zengel rounded out the cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and took place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It originally was going to be released by Universal Studios for both North American and international markets. However, in November 2020, it was announced that Netflix had acquired international distribution rights except for China and will release it digitally on its streaming service on February 9.

The film stars Hanks, Murphy, Winningham, Marvel, Camp and Zengel. The film features exceptional performances, led by veteran actor Tom Hanks. If, at the beginning, Hanks seems suitably cast as yet another ordinary guy thrown into extraordinary circumstances, by the end, it's become an emotionally riveting performance. Newcomer Helena Zengel, an actress with no previous acting experience who beautifully captures both a fierce and vulnerable nature.

The film is a stupendous thrill ride that should not be missed. Hanks' performance alone makes it worth the price of admission, but Zengel and Greengrass sweeten the deal. Greengrass is a masterful guide, delivering a taunt and exciting cinematic adventure while keeping the essence of the story intact. The film is a high-stakes, visceral drama that allows the audience to experience the myriad emotions at the same time as the characters. It captures what is truly remarkable about the human spirit in times of peril. Mainstream films this good deserve to be celebrated, because they don't come along nearly as often as they should.

Simon says News of the World receives:

Also, see my review for 22nd July.