Director: Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of Dakota Johnson. Following her rise to fame amid the 1990’s, Johnson has made memorable movies. Whether it is clever matchmakers, terminally ill lovers or powerful political leaders, Johnson has played several strong characters. Arguably, Johnson’s finest strength as an actress has always been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those rare actresses which has always poured her heart and soul into every role. Johnson hasn’t ever been afraid to take risks in her career by playing characters that aren’t always likeable. Through her ability to portray characters that are compelling, Johnson has crafted a legacy that’s lasting. Although she is best known for her provocative role in the Fifty Shades movies, Johnson has proven she can excel in every single genre. Throughout her commemorated career, Johnson has created many memorable movies which are absolutely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Johnson and adore all films she has made in her career. However, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2019, Tyler Nilson’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging story and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about disability. At centre of it all is an incredible performance from Dakota Johnson, who embodies a woman seeking to care for a child with grim disability. Ultimately, what makes “The Peanut Butter Falcon” a timeless classic is universal appeal. Unlike most films about Down Syndrome, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a profound message about friendship that would resonate with everyone. A powerful masterpiece about intellectual disabilities, there are many strong reasons why “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a film worth watching.
Set in North Carolina, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” tells story of a teenager with Down syndrome facing trauma. Zack Gottsagen plays Zak, a teenager which suffers from Down syndrome causing tension. Zak has always yearned for freedom seeking escape from his retirement home that causes a problem. Zak’s life forever changes when he’s given the chances to go to a wrestling school that gives him a chance to cope with a disorder. Assisted by his newfound friends Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) and Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), Zak seeks to become a strong wrestler. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Zak soon begins to wonder whether he will ever be able to overcome his disorder. Facing consequences of mental illness, Zak soon begins to question whether he will ever be able to find happiness. Seeking a way out of his troublesome situation, Zak soon begins to question whether he would ever be able to overcome his mental condition.
Tyler Nilson is a newcomer towards themes of mental disorders. Before he directed “The Peanut Butter Falcon”, Nilson had never made a film about disabilities before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the tensions faced by teenagers with Down syndrome experiencing tragedy but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Nilson captures a teenager embarking on a journey to battle his disability. Evoking Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, Nilson effectively uses montages to showcase tensions that men with intellectual disabilities are enduring. For instance, montages enhance the meeting scene. During this heartwarming scene, Zak and Tyler form a strong bond with each other through participating in a wrestling competition. Through montages, Nilson crafts a character which audiences can easily relate to. Montages are complex techniques to use in films. As Steve McQueen’s “12 Years a Slave” suggested, montages often elevate films about slavery. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Nilson captures tension that teenagers suffering from Down syndrome are facing.
Another impressive aspect of “The Peanut Butter Falcon” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. Nilson effectively uses production design to capture the lives of teenagers with Down syndrome that face a decline. Nilson’s decisions to shoot the film in a real wrestling ring is risky but it pays of tremendously. For instance, the backdrops of the wrestling ring elevates the fight scene. During this heartfelt scene, Zak engages in a tense wrestling fight showcasing his talents. Through using a real-life wrestling setting, Nilson created a portrait of disability that’s compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Zachary Dawes’ music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that teenagers with Down syndrome bear. Through powerful production, Nilson captures the lives of teens with Down Syndrome facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is a film about disability which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture lives of intellectually disabled teens facing tension. Throughout the movie, Nilson uses silence to capture the strong bonds that intellectually disabled children form with their caretakers. For instance, silence elevates the farewell scene. During this memorable scene, Zak bids tearful farewell towards Tyler as he embarks upon a journey away from his home. Through silence, Nilson created a portrait of intellectual disability that audiences can relate to. Silence is often a tricky technique to use in films. As David Fincher’s “The Social Network” demonstrated, silence often enhances commemorated movies about famous social network companies. That being said, it works tremendously in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Nilson showcases the lives of intellectually disabled kids that experience a painful price to pay.
One admires amazing performances.
Dakota Johnson gives one of her best career performances as Eleanor. Johnson first earned appreciation for playing sexual women which seek happiness in the Fifty Shades franchise. With “The Peanut Butter Falcon”, however, Johnson took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a social worker seeking to care for a teenage with Down syndrome facing adversity but she succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. With spellbinding expressions, she captures the angst, desperation and grief of a woman seeking to care for disabled children facing tension. It’s a powerful performance by one of the finest actresses working in the film industry today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Dakota Johnson, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciations. Shia LaBeouf is spectacular, capturing charisma of a fisherman that forms a strong friendship with an intellectually disabled child which faces trauma. Zack Gottsagen is fantastic, bringing compassion towards a teenager with Down syndrome that dreams of achieving success in a wrestling profession. Lastly, Thomas Haden Church merits appreciation. As a professional wrestler, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing teens with disabilities enduring tension. Unlike most films about Down Syndrome, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses bold themes such as disability, mental health and friendship which definitely would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with intellectual disabilities to enjoy it. It delivers a bold message about friendships which would truly resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Peanut Butter Falcon” is one of those rare films about Down syndrome everyone would adore.
Fans of Dakota Johnson would definitely enjoy “The Peanut Butter Falcon” and so will audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting drama about Down syndrome, it celebrates an an actress with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about intellectually disabled children facing tension, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy with strong dedication that has made memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 