The Peanut Butter Falcon Review
Can you smell what The Peanut Butter Falcon is cooking?
The Peanut Butter Falcon is a film about a young man with down syndrome, named Zak, who escapes from his care home to try and pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Whilst Zak’s primary carer, Eleanor, searches for Zak he bumps into Tyler, a fisherman who is on the run from his own troubles. What we get is an atypical account of two bandits on the run and a story about their journey to get to the wrestling school of Zak’s idol, ‘Salt Water Redneck’.
This film showcases why striving for diversity will always lead to positive results. We rarely have actors with disabilities in significant roles, if ever. And I’m so glad that the team behind this film wanted to have a film centred on a man with down syndrome. Though his condition may affect him, it never defines Zak. He is still, just like you and I, someone with dreams and aspirations. His dream to be the next big wrestler, under the alter ego, ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’.
This movie could have so easily gone in a number of other and bad directions. It could’ve been corny, it could have played it safe, it could even have been offensive. Thankfully, it was none of these things and was pretty much close to perfect. The acting from everyone involved is superb, but it is the heart and the story that made this film such a pleasure to watch. Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen’s chemistry is truly a thing of beauty, and to see their relationship grow throughout this film as they become brothers was special. I’ve see a lot of the interviews of the cast before and after the film, and it’s clear they have a strong admiration and love for each other. This translated onto the screen in spectacular fashion. I mean just look at this photo:
Shia LaBeouf’s performance made me want Shia LaBeouf to be my older brother (wtf?). This film explores, in a not overly complicated or pretentious way, the potential differences and conflict that might exist in philosophies about how to care for someone with challenging conditions such as down syndrome. Eleanor, doesn’t quite smother him, but she is very protective of Zak at times and feels he requires a very distinct way of care. Whilst Tyler thinks Zak has to get out there and have experiences for himself to truly live. This film says neither is right and neither is wrong, which is just fucking great.
The one thing I didn’t expect walking in to this film was how much I would laugh in this film. It is generally hilarious and the audience I watched this with were really having a good time at some of the jokes in this film. The humour is mostly from characters clashing in ideas or from awkward encounters, which is very much up my street and I think will be for many others. There’s so many memorable moments as our dynamic duo venture through the marshlands of Carolina. There’s also one of my favourite scenes of the year, which when you see this film (which you must) you’ll know what I’m talking about.
The only reason I’m not giving this film a ten out of ten is because the ending is so abrupt. It genuinely caught me off guard and felt so sudden. It didn’t detract one iota from my enjoyment of this film, but it didn’t feel quite right either. It did feel that another five minutes or so was needed just to wrap things up, especially as what had just proceeded it was so dramatic. Nevertheless, this is one of my favourite films of the year and I will vouch for this film every day of the week. The Peanut Butter Falcon is about friendship, family, love and perseverance. I was touched by this movie and felt good afterwards. This is looking like Shia LaBeouf’s year for sure and I sincerely hope this isn’t the last we hear of Zack Gottsagen.