It's That Time of Career

Well, here's another review of a movie I should have seen in theaters but, this time, I got to watch it via Academy screener.   Obviously, they thought it was worthy enough for award consideration.  Well, I wouldn't go that far.   But I have seen far worse movies of late and, for a chance, my eyelids didn't droop in the middle of it.

I guess the importance of this release is due to the fact that this is another starring role for Tom Hanks.   Back when he was younger, remember when he won the Best Actor Oscar two years in a row?  Well, he has always been a rather dependable and versatile actor.   With "News of the World," we get the change in his career focus.   No longer at the age when he can run after Meg Ryan all over Seattle, he now enters that stage in his career where...

....he will play "old man" roles.

It happens to everybody, Tom.

This film by director Paul Greengrass is a good one to make that transition in as it resembles an old time western from the 40s and 50s.   Even the slower and deliberate pace conjures up the thought of some of those "thinking man" westerns that starred Jimmy Stewart back in the 50s.   And, of course, this would not be the first time Hanks has been compared to Stewart.

Hanks plays a former Civil War officer circa 1870 who now goes from town to town reading the news to the citizens of America.   He's Walter Cronkite on a horse.   

In one town, Hanks meets up with young Jo-hanna (Helena Zengel), a White girl wandering around in a confused state and wearing Indian garb.   We learn eventually that her parents were killed by Kiowa indians and Jo-hanna was raised by the tribe.

After several scenes of governmental red tape that set up the inevitable plot, Hanks is entrusted to bring the girl back to her aunt and uncle.  This will be a long journey through western towns with nefarious characters and a dust storm or two.   If you're thinking this sounds like a mash up of "The Searchers" and "True Grit," you're right.  The difference is that those movies had several major gun fights.   "News of the World" only has one.  Indeed, this film plays out at a much slower pace than other westerns you are accustomed to.   But, still, it is engrossing and the cinematography is nice to look at.   More importantly, I was wide awake throughout.

The movie, of course, belongs to Hanks and Zengel and they are a wonderful pair to watch together as their relationship grows.   And Hanks makes the shift to an older, gristled role seamlessly.   It's a matter of time before they remake "On Golden Pond" with him in the lead.

This film is a great reminder that Tom Hanks has become one of the true American film stars.   Amazing given he starred out in drag when he did that ABC sitcom "Bosom Buddies."   Bravo, Tom.

LEN'S RATING:  Three-and-a-half stars.

Dinner last night:  Salad.