The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Dir: Tyler Nilson & Michael Schwartz

The Peanut Butter Falcon is a comedy drama about a man with down syndrome who runs away from his assisted living facility to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, and on his way, befriends a drifter type character who becomes his best friend and wrestling coach. On this journey they learn so much about themselves and each other, making this a very feel good film.

The film really was such a joy to watch. From beginning to end I found myself with such a big smile on my face, all of the characters were so well realised and well acted that it really felt like I was watching along with someone's real life story, alongside them rather than just watching a movie based on real events.

The character of Zak, is a self titled character played by Zak Gottsagen, who has down syndrome and so this character is really incredible in this movie, it makes a statement about the treatment of people with down syndrome without having to say anything out right, but just by the interactions he has with other characters throughout the entire film. - And that anyone has the right to follow their own dreams and and really gives out the lesson that you should always try and do your best to support those around you to pursue their dreams, no matter how much they may seem like a fantasy to you. It doesn't make their dreams any less valuable.

The Peanut Butter Falcon genuinely was such an enjoyable film to watch, it was incredibly wholesome and real, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an incredibly well shot, feel good piece of art.

The Peanut Butter Falcon show off its Georgia locations to beautiful artistic effect and just for this one fact the film should be watched. No harm is done by Shia LeBeouf and Zack Gottsagen’s non-romantised and charismatic partnership during the run time. LeBeouf quite often a figure of fun in the press and amongst cinema goers once again comes up with the acting chops that is obvious he has. In less able hands this could easily have been mawkish and over-sentimental but Tyler is spikey, dishonest and hard to breakdown.

For the purposes of the story he has to breakdown but I found this change to be skillfully handled and gradually done to point that you do notice but the increments are judged just about right.

Throw in the rather lovely Dakota Johnson and you have a good trio to pull through the story. Well supported by baddies John Hawkes, in a role he is so good at, and Yelawolf, who looks the part, and drop-in Thomas Haden Church with a small dash of veteran Bruce Dern and you have very strong and capable cast.

All that could really spoil the film is the story and overall it’s a strong and fun tale. There is a nice lack of sentimentality for most of the run, Downs Syndrome actor Zack Gottsagen makes sure that his Down Syndrome character is shown warts and all and he is a fully rounded character and the whole film is better for it. Once again in lesser hands this could have been bad – so bad. Luckily for us it wasn’t.

To drive the story to where we are going the writers have stretched credibility to snapping point and this is my biggest bugbear after the credits rolled. Just dialling back on the twee and happy ending and you have a great modern tale of the opposites helping each other, learning lessons and becoming better people due to this. The final wrestling scenes and very end section whilst not snapping that stretch for me it was just about the snap. The most frustrating part was with just some judicious editing of the writing, a rethink of the conclusion and the film could have been a modern road-trip classic.

Nevertheless the fantastic cinematography and impressive all-round performances negate almost any minuses I could give this film. What a treat to see Mick Foley and Jake ‘the snake’ Roberts near the end, Roberts in particular has not had a great later life and was impressive as the slobbish, mean spirited Sam in his cameo.
As package The Peanut Butter Falcon is fine, fun, enjoyable yarn, it certainly is not without flaws which I feel could easily have been ironed during the early stages of making the film but who knows what the first vision was like before this came to our screens? It is easy to criticise with no prior knowledge and when all is considered you get a fun, uplifting story of love, redemption and backwater wrestling and Shia LeBeouf tearing it up again.

I was a bit sceptical when I saw the casting for this - Shia LaBeouf trying to rehabilitate himself after his recent off-screen shenanigans with a heart-rending story about a lad with Down Syndrome? Well, how wrong was I? It is a an uplifting experience from start to finish. A brief appearance from Bruce Dern, a coating of of vaseline and away we go into a journey that sees Zak meet and travel with Tyler as they develop a bond that is truly joyful and convincing. You can tell that they both had fun making the film, the chemistry is palpable. Our family used to work closely with folks and their families coping with DS and the notion of restraining them for their own (and others' good) in institutions was never far away; this escape and subsequent adventure demonstrates, albeit fictionally, that the human spirit is alive and well in everyone. Highly recommend this film.

'The Peanut Butter Falcon' has become the rare indie darling to make a splash at the U.S. box office, and Australian audiences would be wise to follow suit. It's a comedy that is as sweet and unique as its main star, and points towards a bright future for disabled inclusivity in film.
- Ashley Teresa

Read Ashley's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-the-peanut-butter-falcon-wholesome-and-heartfelt