Zak runs away from his care home to make his dream of becoming a wrestler come true.
It’s little wonder that Albert Berger, one of the producers of Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz’s debut feature “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” also co-produced “Little Miss Sunshine.” The two films have a lot in common: both follow down-on-their-luck characters achieving redemption through kindness; both have moments of searing drama and laugh-out-loud comedy; and both lead up to modestly epic “emancipation sequences” — in “LMS,” it was little Olive’s dream beauty pageant, while “TPBF” ends with lead character Zak’s much-anticipated wrestling match. The two films also share a heart-warming/life-affirming tone that treads close, but for the most part, avoids tear-jerking. The beats may be familiar but said warmth is bound to penetrate the most cynical of hearts.
Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down Syndrome, escapes from his North Carolina nursing home — and the watchful eye of nurse Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) — with the help of his roommate, Carl (Bruce Dern). His mission? To attend the pro wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). Wearing nothing but his tights whities, Zak soon stumbles on Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a crab fisherman and “small-time outlaw on the run.” Tyler begrudgingly allows Zak to join him on his journey to Florida — which happens to be on the way to Redneck’s wrestling school. They fend off bullies, drink a lot of whiskey, and are soon joined by Eleanor, who apparently has the tracking skills of a bloodhound.
According to the filmmakers, who met star Zack Gottsagen at a camp for disabled actors, they were “very upfront with him about the reality of his chances. Someone with Down Syndrome had never starred in a feature film.” Not phased by the potential challenges, Gottsagen promptly signed on — and boy, am I glad he did. Along with co-star Shia LaBeouf, the actor anchors the film, which might have otherwise slipped into a series of saccharine platitudes. Possessing an uncanny comic timing, but also imbuing his character with touching honesty and loyalty, Gottsagen is absolutely fearless; he has a bright future ahead if Hollywood execs have any common sense left in them.
LaBeouf, who’s certainly had his share of ups-and-downs career-wise, seems to get back on track. His Tyler, who experienced a tragic loss, escapes his past and the banalities of society to what he deems to be a freer life. Zak — and to a lesser degree, Eleanor — remind him of the importance of kinship, of human closeness. Watching the actor’s veneer of toughness fade away and allowing his inherent empathy to shine through, is a joy to behold. Welcome back, Shia.
Dakota Johnson fares somewhat worse in a one-dimensional role. Eleanor’s sole goal seems to be helping people and ensuring the safety of Zak, which is fine in itself — but we know next-to-nothing about her background, her motivations, and the actress rarely lets us in. I get that our two heroes’ nonconformist spirit is highly contagious, but for a seemingly rational character to unabashedly throw herself into a frankly-questionable/hazy situation insinuates some sort of incentive, one which remains unexplained. The always-dependable John Hawkins is side-lined to a staple “evil hick” role, but it’s one he’s used to playing, and he does it well. I also enjoyed Thomas Haden Church’s brief but memorable appearance as The Salt Water Redneck, a decrepit phoenix getting a chance to briefly rise from his disintegrated ashes — and taking the most out of it.
There are clumsy bits that blemish but don’t derail the narrative. For instance, it’s rather remarkable how characters keep finding/stumbling on each other as they cruise the labyrinthine Carolina deltas. The film wears its heart on its sleeve so openly, with not so much as a hint of irony, it comes dangerously close to sermonizing, particularly in an awkward baptism sequence. Nilson and Schwartz aren’t exactly subtle when it comes to the Mark Twain references either; we get that this is a modern-day “Huckleberry Finn” without the incessant reminders.
What truly sticks are the quieter, tender moments: the seemingly-improvised scene of Tyler and Zak bonding on a raft, slapping each other’s faces playfully; the origins of the “Peanut Butter Falcon” alter ego, involving — you guessed it — copious amounts of peanut butter (and whiskey); Zac catching a fish with his bare hands… Though it may be predictable, and you’ll see the ending from a while away, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a witty, soulful, at times transcendent journey that marks the arrival of a directing duo — and a star — to watch.
Now available on Digital HD and on Blu-ray (plus Digital), DVD and On-Demand November 12th
