News of The World
Ratings: 3.5/5
Duration: 01 Hr 58 Mins
Language: English
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Director: Paul Greengrass
Writers: Paul Greengrass, Luke Davies, Paulette Jiles
Based On: 2016 novel ‘News of The World’ by Paulette Jiles'
Producers: Gary Goetzman, Gregory Goodman, Eric Heffron, Amy Lord, Gail Mutrux, Tore Schmidt, Steve Shareshian
Music: James Newton Howard
Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski
Editing: William Goldenberg
Art Direction: Natasha Gerasimova, Billy W. Ray, Lauren Slatten
Release Date: 25 December 2020 (USA)
Released On:
Star Cast: Tom Hanks, Steve Boyles, Helena Zengel, Tom Astor, John Travis Johnson, Andy Kastelic, Ray McKinnon, Mare Winningham, Jeffrey Ware, Chris Bylsma, Justin Tade, Darrin Giossi, Brenden Wedner, Elizabeth Marvel, Michael Angelo Covino, Clay James, Cash Lilley, Stafford Douglas, Robert G. Knowlton, Jared Berry, Gabriel Ebert, Fred Hechinger, Clint Obenchain, Thomas Francis Murphy, Truman Hanks, Neil Sandilands, Winsome Brown, Bill Camp, Michael Toby Sanchez, Gabe Baca, Francheska Bardacke, Annacheska Brown, Michelle Campbell, Cynthia Casaus, Wanna Choy, Christopher Hagen, David Hight, Stephanie Hill, Chukwudi Iwuji, Benjamin Jimerson-Phillips, Bob Knowlton, James LaPrelle, Tristan Manyhorses, Randy Ritsema, Derrek Sena, J. Nathan Simmons, William Sterchi, Michael E. Stogner, Cheo Tapia, Mario Telles
Plot: A Civil War veteran Jefferson Kidd (Tom Hanks), a widower who barely earns, while traveling from town to town and reading the newspaper to locals who are too lazy (or unable) to do it for themselves, comes across Johanna (Helena Zengel), a 10-year-old girl raised by the Kiowa people. She barely remembers her German birth family from whom she was taken. Now her adoptive family is dead, butchered by white men in a cycle of violence. She speaks no English, but apparently has an aunt and uncle at the other end of Texas with whom she could live.
Since Jefferson Kidd realizes that several dubious individuals would be perfectly willing to mistreat Johanna. He, therefore, decides to transport her himself. And she has no idea where this strange man is taking her.
They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home, and that forms the rest of the story.
Review: Directed by Paul Greengrass, ‘News of the World’ revolves around two vastly different people who share a sad commonality: the loss of their loved ones. So, the film is about facing adversity and how people can support one another in doing it.
Jefferson Kidd sees helping Johanna as a manner of healing his own inner pain from the death of his wife. While incapable of fully understanding anything he says, the girl instinctively recognizes a kindred spirit, consequently giving him her trust.
This doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which direction the story is heading. Nevertheless, the pleasure comes from seeing how it gets there.
When it comes to performances, Tom Hanks has given a great performance. He has a way of achieving an almost instant audience buy-in whenever he shows up in a movie. It is probably the confidence he exudes that brings us all under his spell.
Helena Zengel is phenomenal. She has managed to convey a world of emotions with just a look as she has fewer dialogues.
The supporting players are a strong mix of familiar character actors, with Elizabeth Marvel being the standout. She is one of those actresses who, when she shows up, you know that for whatever duration she is on screen, it is going to be something you will be interested in watching, and that is completely true here!
Technically, the film is beautifully shot with sweeping natural scenery alongside all the Western staples, from shoot-outs to horseback chases that are nicely crafted by Greengrass. Cinematography by Dariusz Wolski has managed to plunge us into a time and place. In short, a handsome production on all levels, from the visuals to the unobtrusive editing from Oscar-winner William Goldenberg (Argo), ‘News of the World’ has the gleam of polish to it.
Overall, ‘News of The World’ is full-scale entertainment at a high level - exactly what we are almost owed at the end of this year!
