Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Co-writer/director: Peter Greengrass, Netflix.
Following the journey of a traveller in Texas in 1870, not long after the end of the Civil War, forms a two-hour ride of drama, adventure and the Wild West.
Tom Hanks – in the main lead – is the winner of two consecutive Academy Awards: as a gay lawyer suffering from AIDS in Philadelphia (1993) and as a young man with below-average IQ in Forrest Gump (1994).
In this film he plays the role of Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who travels from town to town reading the news, literally, to anyone who will listen. On one of his trips, he finds a lost 10-year-old girl Johanna (Helena Zengel), who grew up as a Native American after being kidnapped by Kiowas. Thus begins a dangerous journey across Texas to deliver an orphaned girl, against her will, to a new home, at least, what is left of her birth family.
At first Johanna is hostile towards him because of her uncertain circumstances and there’s the language barrier. She understandably has a hard time adjusting to her new situation.
Besides, Captain Kidd has had to deal with his own personal struggles and is portrayed as a serious, though patient man. He is a loner, but also has a deep sense of humanity. His storytelling skills are just as important as being an informer and an entertainer, choosing how to present what he reads. His life skills, travels and encounters means he can accurately read people.
Challenges ahead are pretty obvious for both of them in the wilderness, overcoming initial communication difficulties to slowly get closer to each other. This becomes a road movie of sorts, with new encounters across the unstable landscape for them both.
It’s a heartwarming relationship, with 12-year-old Zengel delivering an impressive performance as the forceful and obstinate Johanna.
Obvious attention to detail is obvious, everything from the period re-creation to James Newton Howard’s pleasant score … and Hanks’ restrained acting. Director Paul Greengrass reunites with the Oscar winner and puts him in a very different role to Captain Phillips.
Based on a novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles, the film makes an impact due primarily to its impressive cast and crew.
