In our continuing coverage of Oscar-nominated films, guest reviewer filmunknown has a look at News of the World, nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Original Score, and Best Sound.
Written and Directed by Paul Greengrass, starring Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel • Perfect World, Universal
A civil war veteran agrees to chaperone a young orphan to her relatives across dangerous territory.
A compelling story of the power of stories and a bond forming through hardships despite different views or cultural understandings. It’s slow in pace but develops characters and their bond very well and hits several tense moments that keep you engaged in the journey and immersed in the environment of that time period and setting.
Locked in with the always relatable and accessible Tom Hanks, he gives another great performance of an honorable character. Standing toe to toe with the great Hanks is Helena Zengel who added such a great mystery, emotional weight, and authenticity to her displaced character. The two work great together and provide a great heart to the film.
The breathtaking and awe-inspiring, but dangerous, landscapes of this gritty western are uplifted by a passionate sense of storytelling and a great emphasis on dialogue. Words speak so much volume, and when two characters don’t speak the same language each word is made more important. The raw danger of the journey is juxtaposed nicely with the growing bond of two strangers.
There are a few too many side characters, meant to be unlikeable, to be given so much screen time, and it’s a bit predictable and has some pacing issues, lulling here and there, but it then rears back with some intense altercations and heartfelt moments that rounds out this harrowing journey with a lot of passion and sentiment.
SCORE: 7.5/10
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