The Peanut Butter Falcon

Heart-warming.

Sweet. 

Feel good.

I’ve never been a fan of these descriptions when applied to cinema, literature, or art. But, dammit anyway, they are kind of applicable in regards to this little film.

A figurative twist on the Huck Finn/Tom Sawyer mythos (they even name-check the book early on), TPBF is an “exotic” American road trip-cum-quest-cum buddy movie. I say “exotic” since the North Carolina coastal locale is completely foreign to this California native.

Fueled by some beguilingly charismatic acting from Shia LaBouef, Dakota Johnson, and newcomer Zack Gottsagen, the film has a decidedly laid-back demeanor; it just kind of ambles along with a mellow, down home sensibility.

Teeming with After School Special-styled tropes ranging from the loner with a dark past to the wide-eyed social worker and populated with some generic background characters (for example, the villains--John Hawke and Yelawolf(!)--are pretty one-dimensional, yet they serve their purpose well), the film really succeeds due to the wonderful chemistry between the three leads. I’ve always enjoyed Beef Boy’s thespian escapades from Holes on through mediocre action fare like Transformers, Eagle Eye, and Disturbia. Here, he excels as the rambling, emotionally scarred Tyler. The Falcon, his ownself, is wonderfully spot on with comedic timing and an overall sense of naturalism. And the fruit of Don Johnson’s loins continues to showcase a wonderful depth and chameleonic virtuousness when it comes to the roles she takes. It’s mesmerizing every time one of these three graces the screen. There’s a few great cameos, as well. Hardcore wrestling fans will whoop and holler when Mankind and Jake the Snake flick into frame. And Thomas Haden Church should be deemed a national treasure.

If there is one downfall to the film it’s the all too feel-good ending. It looks like there was originally a bittersweet ending that I’m guessing might have tested poorly in trial screenings and as a result the filmmakers decided to tack on a happier ending, one which really doesn’t work with the way the rest of the climactic scenes have been edited; the final minutes just feel clunky. 

Lame ending aside, the bulk of the journey is a hoot. I laughed. I cried. I felt a connection to the characters. So much so that I found myself longing for my younger days and the missed opportunities of open road adventures on the fringes of America.

Rating: 3.5/5

RIYL: Rainman; Stand By Me; Yesterday; Fandango