News of the World

News of the World, released in late 2020 and directed by Paul Greengrass, is a riveting period drama that shines a light on a lesser known chapter of American history. Starring Tom Hanks, Helena Zengel, and Tom Astor, this film captivates audiences and offers a fine blend of drama, action, and heartfelt relationships, all against a backdrop of America's western frontier.

Set five years after the end of the Civil War, Hanks plays Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a battle-weary war veteran and widower, who now finds solace and purpose in travelling from town to town reading newspapers. His readings offer a service to local inhabitants, many illiterate, allowing them to connect with the wider world and stay informed about current affairs, technological advances, and exciting world events--hence, the fitting title News of the World.

Hanks, who is known for his nuanced performances, attaches a great depth of emotion to his character, inhabiting the aura of a emotionally scarred yet resilient man. He's believable as a man burdened by sorrows of the past and uncertain about the future, yet who remains steadfast in his duty.

On one of his travels, Kidd crosses paths with a 10-year-old girl, Johanna Leonberger, played by the incredible Helena Zengel, who stands toe-to-toe with Hanks in their shared screen time. Found alone among the wild landscape, Johanna is a girl out of place, disconnected from her disrupted past and uncertain about her future. The young actress brings forth an exceptional performance, evoking a fierce, instinctive individual who has very much become a product of her tumultuous past.

Johanna is a twice-orphaned girl of German descent, who, following the deaths of her parents, was raised by Kiowa Native Americans. However, after another cruel twist of fate, she finds herself dislodged from her adoptive family as well. Despite their drastically different backgrounds, Kidd takes it upon himself to transport the young girl back to her surviving family, embarking on an epic journey that traverses the harsh and often perilous Texas frontier.

Although the plot might suggest a clear path, what follows isn't strictly a rescue mission or a simple passage from point A to B. Instead, it's an intimate tale of two disparate souls who find themselves bonding over shared loneliness and trauma. Through their journey, they encounter numerous perils and obstacles, each representing an incisive portrait of a post-war nation wrestling with its own identity and future.

News of the World is also a visual treat with cinematographer Dariusz Wolski creating some breathtakingly picturesque frames. The vast open landscapes, the panoramic vistas, and the harsh wilderness of 19th-century Texas have all been captured immaculately, painting a rugged yet beautiful canvas that immerse us into the setting.

Complementing these stunning visuals is James Newton Howard's evocative score. His music emanates a sense of melancholy that underscores the movie effectively, enhancing the film's dramatic scenes and soulful moments. The music breathes life into the narrative, evoking a haunting sense of isolation and vast emptiness of the American Wild West.

Watching Hanks and Zengel interact and communicate through their characters’ language barriers adds depth to their relationship. It forces them to connect and understand on a more primal, raw, emotional level rather than through convenient dialogues. Hanks, with his seasoned and soulful performance, and Zengel, in her impressive English-language debut, form an unconventional duo, creating an onscreen chemistry that’s remarkable and deeply moving.

In its essence, News of the World is a heartfelt journey of survival, redemption, and the power of human connections in a hostile, uncertain world. Beneath the grand vistas and thrilling action sequences, it's an introspective study of broken characters seeking to heal and move beyond their past. This movie not only delights with its high-stakes drama, but also meditates deeply on issues of loss, identity, and humanity in a rapidly changing world. This beautifully-told period drama offers a fresh and absorbing viewing experience that sticks with you long after the credits roll.