Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill and Rooney Mara
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have starred in movies which transfix audiences like Joaquin Phoenix. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Phoenix has proven to be a celebrated icon. Whether it’s medieval emperors, aimless drifters or world-famous singers, Phoenix has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Phoenix’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment towards his craft. He is one of those rare actors that has always had the talent for stealing show in supporting roles with limited screen-time. Even when he is not a main focus of a movie, Phoenix has often left a lasting impression. Through his ability to portray strong characters that are compelling, Phoenix has left behind a legacy that’s lasting. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, Phoenix has become an icon in modern-day entertainment. Throughout a long-lasting career, Phoenix has made many movies which are worth taking about.
I’m a big fan of Phoenix and adore all the films he has crafted in his career. However, “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2018, Gus Van Sant’s movie offered a powerful portrait of disability. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best disability films ever made. At the centre of it all is a superb performance by Joaquin Phoenix, who portrays a disabled artist facing tensions. Ultimately, what makes “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” a true masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about disability, it tackles strong themes which everyone will relate to. A captivating disability drama, there are several reasons why “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” is a commemorated film that is absolutely worth seeing.
Based on the book, “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” tells the story of a disabled artist struggling getting far on foot. Joaquin Phoenix portrays John Callahan, a disabled cartoonist with a talent for creating art. John has always had passion for creating art that holds a precious place in his heart. However, John’s life forever changes when he endures accidents causing disaster. Left confined to a wheelchair, John struggles to cope with grim disabilities causing despair. At a time when all hope seems to be lost, John finds comfort in the power of art. Joining a sobriety clinic, John finds therapeutic ways to cope with a disability that’s tragic. As all the odds are firmly stacked against his favour, John begins to wonder if it’s possible to overcome disabilities that cause a disaster.
Gus Van Sant is fascinated with the themes of therapy. An excellent filmmaker, Van Sant has often made compelling movies about lives of individuals seeking therapy. His iconic movie “Good Will Hunting” captured the tension that lost janitors seeking therapy are facing. With “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot”, the filmmaker crafted his first disability drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the tensions faced by individuals with severe disability but he succeeded. Through stunning cinematography, Van Sant captures a hero on a journey for therapy. Evoking Jim Sheridan’s “My Left Foot”, Van Sant successfully utilizes montages to capture tensions faced by artists with a disabled foot. For instance, montages enhance the disability discovery scene. During this unforgettable scene, John becomes aware he has disability causing tension. Using strong montages, Van Sant crafts a strong portrait of disability that’s engaging. Montages are often tricky to use in movies. As Ridley Scott’s movie “Gladiator” claimed, montages often enhance medieval movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through stunning visuals, Van Sant captures the tensions that disabled people are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” deserving appreciation is the production. From technical perspectives, the movie is extremely well made. Inspired with Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, Van Sant expertly uses costumes to capture the lives of disabled artists enduring tensions. Throughout the film, John’s costumes showcase his transformation in a disabled artist. For instance, the costumes enhance the therapies clinic scene. During this memorable scene, John participates in his first ever therapy session causing tension. Through stunning costumes, Van Sant crafts a portrait of disability that’s engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Danny Elfman’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the film intense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden disabled artists always bear. Through strong production, Van Sant captures disabled people facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” is a disability drama that’s engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and uses tragicomedy to capture disabled artists which face adversity. The film successfully switches back and forth between moments of drama and comedy. At times, the movie is hilarious especially in the scenes in which John jokes around with peers in a therapy clinic. However, at the same time, the movie is also serious in its depiction of the tragic consequences of disabilities. Through a unique cominbation of tragedy and comedy, Van Sant creates a strong portrait of disability. Tragicomedy is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Woody Allen’s “Irrational Man” claimed, tragicomedy enhanced romantic dramas. Nevertheless, it works extremely in movie. Through a superb screenplay, Van Sant captures disabled people facing a price to pay.
One admires amazing performances.
Joaquin Phoenix delivers one of his best career performances as John Callahan. Phoenix first earned appreciation for playing commanding emperors in medieval epics. With “Don’t Worry he Won’t Get Long on Foot”, however, he took on in most iconic character. Phoenix excels at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” did prove finest his strengths as an actor. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seek him: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation sheer and resentments of a disabled artist facing tensions. It’s a fantastic performance from one of the most celebrated actors today.
While the movie is mainly a strong showcase for Joaquin Phoenix, the support cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Jonah Hill is fantastic, capturing the uphill battles of a mentally ill man with big goals to fulfill. Rooney Mara is magnificent, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a disabled artist causing a dilemma. Lastly, Jack Black merits appreciation. As a mentally ill comedian, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” would deserve the appreciations of everyone for capturing mentally ill people. Unlike most disability films, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. The movie discusses profound themes including anxiety, mental health and trauma that will resonate amongst everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of disabled people to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about mental health which would resonate among everyone. Therefore, “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” is one of those rare movies about disability everyone would adore.
Fans of Joaquin Phoenix will definitely enjoy “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” and so would movie-goers seeking heartwarming entertainment. A dazzling disability drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about men with severe disability seeking therapy, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences commonly love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 