A delightful movie full of heart and humor. Zack Gottsagen and Shia LaBeouf are both great and have amazing chemistry together. It's great seeing someone with special needs star in a movie.
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Dir: Tyler Nilson & Michael Schwartz
The Peanut Butter Falcon is a comedy drama about a man with down syndrome who runs away from his assisted living facility to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, and on his way, befriends a drifter type character who becomes his best friend and wrestling coach. On this journey they learn so much about themselves and each other, making this a very feel good film.
The film really was such a joy to watch. From beginning to end I found myself with such a big smile on my face, all of the characters were so well realised and well acted that it really felt like I was watching along with someone's real life story, alongside them rather than just watching a movie based on real events.
The character of Zak, is a self titled character played by Zak Gottsagen, who has down syndrome and so this character is really incredible in this movie, it makes a statement about the treatment of people with down syndrome without having to say anything out right, but just by the interactions he has with other characters throughout the entire film. - And that anyone has the right to follow their own dreams and and really gives out the lesson that you should always try and do your best to support those around you to pursue their dreams, no matter how much they may seem like a fantasy to you. It doesn't make their dreams any less valuable.
The Peanut Butter Falcon genuinely was such an enjoyable film to watch, it was incredibly wholesome and real, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an incredibly well shot, feel good piece of art.
Shia and Zack are great together; two wonderful performances that bring to life this beautiful friendship. The film is funny, joyous, and more than a little emotional. However, it could have been longer, not only to give us more time with these characters, but to flesh out scenes and backstories that were often rushed. Still, while it's not the classic it had the potential to be, it is a film worth returning to.
not going to dissect this film. I gave it a 10 because it kept me smiling the entire way through. the soundtrack is incredible too.
plus Jake the roberts & nick Foley
A buddy movie that works better for the chemistry between the two protagonists than for the complexity of its story. It metaphorically represents the special character of people with Down syndrome. And it builds a comin-on-age fable that cannot avoid the common places. There are characters like the nurse who demonstrate the script's lack of courage. But it is a film that succeeds in the celebration of friendship.
As my second time getting to this movie, I absolutely adore it. Shia is great as always. Dakota is always a pleasure to watch. And I’m a sucker for the “wrestling” part of the story and those cameos. It’s truly a heartfelt film that is deserving of many awards. I’ll forever wonder why this movie seemingly slid though the cracks as it did.
Rating: 5/5 - 9.5/10 - Highly Recommend
The Peanut Butter Falcon show off its Georgia locations to beautiful artistic effect and just for this one fact the film should be watched. No harm is done by Shia LeBeouf and Zack Gottsagen’s non-romantised and charismatic partnership during the run time. LeBeouf quite often a figure of fun in the press and amongst cinema goers once again comes up with the acting chops that is obvious he has. In less able hands this could easily have been mawkish and over-sentimental but Tyler is spikey, dishonest and hard to breakdown.
For the purposes of the story he has to breakdown but I found this change to be skillfully handled and gradually done to point that you do notice but the increments are judged just about right.
Throw in the rather lovely Dakota Johnson and you have a good trio to pull through the story. Well supported by baddies John Hawkes, in a role he is so good at, and Yelawolf, who looks the part, and drop-in Thomas Haden Church with a small dash of veteran Bruce Dern and you have very strong and capable cast.
All that could really spoil the film is the story and overall it’s a strong and fun tale. There is a nice lack of sentimentality for most of the run, Downs Syndrome actor Zack Gottsagen makes sure that his Down Syndrome character is shown warts and all and he is a fully rounded character and the whole film is better for it. Once again in lesser hands this could have been bad – so bad. Luckily for us it wasn’t.
To drive the story to where we are going the writers have stretched credibility to snapping point and this is my biggest bugbear after the credits rolled. Just dialling back on the twee and happy ending and you have a great modern tale of the opposites helping each other, learning lessons and becoming better people due to this. The final wrestling scenes and very end section whilst not snapping that stretch for me it was just about the snap. The most frustrating part was with just some judicious editing of the writing, a rethink of the conclusion and the film could have been a modern road-trip classic.
Nevertheless the fantastic cinematography and impressive all-round performances negate almost any minuses I could give this film. What a treat to see Mick Foley and Jake ‘the snake’ Roberts near the end, Roberts in particular has not had a great later life and was impressive as the slobbish, mean spirited Sam in his cameo.
As package The Peanut Butter Falcon is fine, fun, enjoyable yarn, it certainly is not without flaws which I feel could easily have been ironed during the early stages of making the film but who knows what the first vision was like before this came to our screens? It is easy to criticise with no prior knowledge and when all is considered you get a fun, uplifting story of love, redemption and backwater wrestling and Shia LeBeouf tearing it up again.
This somewhat unusual and yet quite normal story about friendship was captured in great pictures. These are celebrated long and with harmonious music.
The main actors are great. Shia LaBeouf's Tyler is a young man in search of himself. After a heavy blow of fate he tries to get back on his feet, but does not mince his words. And so it happens that he throws a "I don't give a damn" to Zak, who tells him about his Down syndrome. And exactly this statement makes him somehow likeable. Because it really doesn't matter.
The message: No discrimination! Everyone is great and capable of extraordinary things. You just have to support them and not stop them. Tyler does exactly that. He helps Zak, encourages him in what he does. And while doing so he recharges his batteries and creates hope.
This absolutely unobtrusive film convinces with a lot of heart, well-placed humor and just the important core message. The only important thing is: Get involved.
My favourite scene: When Zak hands over his escape plan to the old woman and both of them put it into action.
A great film with a heartwarming story and good message also sound cast and good work from (zack)
I watched this film knowing almost nothing about it other than it was highly recommended by a friend with similar tastes, and I'm quite glad that I did. It's been a while since I've watched a film with as much heart and honesty as this. Barring the climax of the film (which I think suffered a bit from being a bit too overly sentimental and cliched), this was a perfect combination of great performances, intriguing characters, an off-beat story, and some genuine displays of empathy/love that you don't always get any more. I don't want to say much more since I also think it helped that I went into this relatively blind to what the film was about, so just give it a go--odds are you'll find something to love about it.
Sweet. Nice. I liked it.
Two mens one in grief and another with a Dreams bigger than life have Unexpected adventure together, found that family can be everywhere.
This movie has a lot of heart and the story is charming. i had a pleasure the watch this movie.
I don't say this a lot, and the movie have a few flaws(don't get my wrong).
but maybe it may be a must watch.
As a child, I used to watch wrestling after school with my friends. It may not be relatable to everyone, but it held a significant place in our lives. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, as Zack accurately portrayed the aspirations and dreams that my friends and I shared during that time.
What a beautiful heartwarming movie. Loved it.
I watched most of this yesterday when I was tired and then a little bit today, so not really the best viewing experience which may be the reason why I didn't really care much about the characters. At the same time I had a nice time just following along and it has some nice music which is important to me. It's the sort of movie that I know is good but at the same time I didn't fully appreciate. Inevitable rewatch in X years will bring a better conclusion.
Tyler: What’s rule number one?
Zack: Party.
This has more than enough heart and character to carry it to the finish line. The acting is also very solid, you can feel the bond between LaBeouf and Gottsagen. Besides that, I thought this was fairly by the numbers, there’s not a beat or arc I couldn’t predict. So then it becomes more a question of how well it’s able to hit those beats. Well, there are definitely some interesting and memorable scenes in it, but then there are also some moments where the directing is a bit questionable. Take the scene where Zak learns to swim, which starts out well but then it introduces a boat which is meant to create tension. So, the boatman didn’t see any of you? You didn’t see the boat when you entered the water? I get it, it’s a simple feel good movie, but those kind of choices are lazy and not sharp. Visually, I’m a bit torn on it. You can tell they’re putting thought and effort into how they’re shooting it, and the locations are undeniably beautiful, but the colour grading really could’ve used a lot more work. All in all, I appreciate some of the steps it took for the representation of people with down syndrome in cinema, but I think the filmmakers relied a little too much on that element to distinguish themselves from other coming-of-age films.
6/10
A strong movie with nice messages,motivational and some even more stronger perfomances.The chemistry between Zack and Shia was all over the place.I am glad i watched this 7.7/10
Not a bad movie, nothing groundbreaking or remarkable, but a really good time waster.
Glad I watched it, but it's not the type of movie you'll return to and watch again.
Solid 7/10
This was an unexpected treat. You have to wade through some pretty terrible acting at the beginning but once the journey narrows down to the three principals there are some sweet moments. Definitely worth a watch. I give this film a 7 (good) out of 10. [Adventure Dramedy]
"Friends are the family you choose."
I really really liked this movie. Shia, Dakota and Zack were really great in this movie and it had moments of laughter, tears and warmth. Shia has been killing it lately and I hope he keeps going down this path!
The Peanut Butter Falcon broke my heart in all the right places.
I want to live the kind of life where Shia LaBeouf would play me when they make the movie of it. He's the Lawry's Season Salt of cinema because he makes everything better.
Peanut Butter Falcon is an attestation to that. It's the kind of wholesome that even people who hate that shit will get caught up in. The story, the cast, the directing... it comes together in a way that will break your heart in all the right places.
That was a beautiful movie and Shia slayed it. I laughed out loud plenty of times and loved all the charm.
The film was a lot of fun to watch. I love the chemistry between Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen. Zack's character was really funny and charming. Every time you see Shia in a movie, you're reminded of the talent that he has.
"A feelgood adventure brought to life by outstanding performances".
This one of the best feel good movies I have seen in a while. And it has some serious messages in it. great movie over all
Definitely one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. I laughed. I cried. Just beautiful.
This is a sweet movie with a lot of heart. Chronicling a man with Downs Syndrome confined to a nursing home who escapes with just a dream. This movie is a funny and heart warming. Great movie of adventure and compassion. Loved Shia Labeouf in this film. A great watch.
Aside from a surprisingly rushed ending, this movie was excellent. I loved nearly everything about it, super well done and well-acted. One of the best of the summer, for sure. 4.5/5
Inspired from Mark Twain fiction, most of Falcon's beats and arcs are as stock as they come, unfortunately afflicting Zak's special-needs character as well. His desire to break free from society's restrictive views on him is indeed real. The problem lies in the squeaky-clean answers to the complex questions raised.
So what do we get? An endearing road comedy that, aside from its cliches, puts its characters' journeys in the forefront and manages to form a character of its atmosphere... one that promises freedom, a bright future, and rebirth. Despite Zak's one-note and mostly cipher-ish role, Gottsagen nails him. LaBeouf & Johnson are given stronger crises, and it's all handled like a shoelace: a trite thing, but taut and "gets der job done!"
Shout by i7eep7houghtBlockedParent2023-05-29T18:04:27Z
Zack: I don’t have money and I don’t have pockets.