Movie Review: News of the World

4 stars out of 5

Movie theaters reopened in New Jersey, at limited capacity, on September 4. Since then I’ve seen three films at my local cinema here in Hoboken: On the Rocks, Let Him Go, and Mank (which, unfortunately, turned out not to be a biopic of my long-ago crush Krys Mankowski). But a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the theater wasn’t listing any movies, and I soon learned that the Bow-Tie chain had re-shuttered all of its NJ cinemas.

But now it’s Christmas and I’m a Jew. Time to spread my wings a little. Secaucus, here I come!

Theatrical releases are still pretty slim, but a Tom Hanks vehicle headed by Bourne veteran Paul Greengrass seemed a safe bet. Thankfully, it was, quite a bit.

It’s 1870 in Texas, and because push notifications weren’t invented yet, Hanks rides from town to town reading from newspapers to audiences, a dime a person. He soon crosses paths with wild-child Johanna, and what’s that jibberish she’s speaking? Ah, Indians wiped out her German home and raised her as one of their own, but then the white man wiped out those Indians, and now Johanna ain’t got no home in this world anymore.

Hanks being Hanks, he promises to deliver the young girl to someone official, who will then deliver her to relatives outside San Antonio. That turns out to be trickier than expected, and this mismatched pair sets out on a journey.

If you like westerns, this will more satisfy you. There are gorgeous panoramic shots (I love you, big theater screen) of New Mexico standing in for the Texas plains. There are cowboys and horses and carriages and those dusty, rickety little towns, and also guns and unforgiving nature and exciting action. It’s a hard life wherever you go!

But there’s also warmth and growth and trust and loyalty. Also, being gone from home for five years at war has created some real issues for Hanks. He does a top-notch job here but is certainly matched by a raw, demanding performance from young Helena Zengel (supporting actress nod? Are they even giving out awards this year?). Mare Winningham — really impressing me in her mature years — Elizabeth Marvel, and the reliable Bill Camp provide glimmers of humanity along the harsh terrain.

A quirky plot which kept me guessing, solid performances, strong direction, gorgeous scenery, thrills, a parallel or two to modern times, and real heart, subtly conveyed — if you’ve been considering venturing to a theater, this may be worth your while.