Dog’s Movie House: “News Of The World” A Thoughtful Western Featuring Tom Hanks!

“News of the World” features Hanks as Captain Kidd, a Civil War veteran who now makes his living reading newspapers to audiences throughout Texas. One day as he’s making his way out of town, he finds a young girl (Zengel) hiding in the wreckage of a wagon. Her name is Johanna and she’d first been kidnapped from her original family by Native Americans and then taken by troops from those same Native Americans, making her an orphan twice over. After attempting to return her to the proper authorities and getting nowhere, Kidd takes it upon himself to return Johanna to her only living German relatives, an arduous task that takes them into danger on several occasions.

Greengrass, reunited with his “Captain Phillips” star Hanks, shies away from the jittery camerawork that has become his calling card, instead preferring to linger on long camera shots that take in the equal parts beautiful and stark Texas countryside. There are a few action scenes scattered throughout the film (a standoff with three men who want to “buy” Johanna serves as the films kinetic high point) but for the most part this film serves as a leisurely paced drama that points out the difficulties of post-war America, especially from the disillusioned Confederate side.

The performances are fantastic, with Hanks getting to sink his teeth into one of the best roles he’s had in awhile. His Kidd is weary of his existence but not so jaded that he’s stopped wanting to do the right thing. He’s capable of being a bad-ass but only as a last resort. This is a role that Jimmy Stewart specialized in during Hollywood’s Golden Age, but Hanks gives it texture and depth. He’s matched step for step by Zengel who is truly a marvel here. Her part is mostly non-verbal, giving her the challenging task of acting mostly through expression and physical performance and boy, does she come through in spades. Not only that, but she has to speak German, Kiowa, and English! She and Hanks have a wonderful chemistry that ensures their relationship develops in a natural manner.

The other performances are all very good, but every character other than the main two flit in and out of the film so quickly that they don’t leave much of an impression. It doesn’t hurt the film as it’s designed to be carried by Hanks and Zengel. Veteran cinematographer Dariusz Wolski works with Greengrass to create a truly immersive western feel: you can practically taste the dust on your tongue.

Now streaming on Amazon, “News Of The World” is a thoughtful, if somewhat slow, Western film that updates the classic tropes of the classic films of yesteryear. Featuring fine performances and an engaging story, “News Of The World” is definitely the film to watch this week. 4 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!

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