News of the World

Yes, News of the World is certainly an interesting movie and no, it’s not a western in the strict sense of the word. Even Once Upon a Time in the West wasn’t a western proper, it was a movie that deconstructed the classic world of the tough cowboys of the wild west adding modernity at the thematic and formal levelS. Compared to it, Greengrass’s movie has an editing that gives the impression of a much faster pace than the story actually has. And although westerns mostly aim at a clear cliffhanger, while the secondary themes around the coexistence with the Indians or the railway are subordinated to the narrative, this one goes in circles that are only apparently separated by historical events (the Civil War, which may have abolished slavery, but without changing anything in the minds of the Southerners), from which the main characters try to escape – move forward. And in my opinion, this movie also pushes forward the possibility of thinking about the “Western”, which hasn’t been a strictly defined genre for a long time, as some sort of field of free expression for talented directors to add their own historical reflection and author’s formal concepts, which in this case is certainly refreshing and stimulating. It’s a film that doesn’t submit to it (like even Once Upon a Time in the West back then), but that conceptually rewrites it, and it has my full admiration. 90% (15/01/2021)

A beautiful film full of important ideas. Tom Hanks can't even do it any other way, and so once again he acts great and the western environment suits him very much. Paul Greengrass kind of gave up on being Paul Greengrass and pops his head up only a few times, but that’s fine, because the story is told one hundred percent skillfully, and however much the final quarter hour can be predicted, it affected me exactly as they planned. If you (didn't) like the slightly more melancholy The Homesman with Tommy Lee Jones, expect the same from News of the World. (10/02/2021)

More was probably expected from a Paul Greengrass/Tom Hanks collaboration. For me, it's a an unnecessary and uninteresting film that didn't bring anything new. It's shot well, acted well (Helena Zengel, after System Crasher, proves once again that she is on an excellent path). The stumbling block for me is the story, did Greengrass really have to choose such an uninteresting subject? Watching a traveling journalist in the Wild West is probably the most boring option available. It lacks action, emotion, drive, and tension – everything I like basically. Weak three stars for Hanks. Story***, Action*, Humor>No, Violence>No, Entertainment**, Music***, Visuals***, Atmosphere***, Tension**. 5/10. (15/01/2021)

Paul went out of his comfort zone into the prairie, where life is a circle, and you have to remember that in order to move on. A simple but beautifully constructed story, told with fluid camera strokes, that you've heard a hundred times before, but that the Hanks-Zengel duo will want to hear again and again. The film is a quiet commentary on America's brokenness and the need for kindness and acceptance of difference. It may not have any dizzying depth, but it's certainly Greengrass' most personal, intimate and moving work, and its simple goodness made me believe at times that the world isn't messed up. Hats off and I love it. (10/02/2021)

A Greengrass film that doesn’t feel it was directed by him. A slow, deliberate and down-to-earth western where not much happens or is said. The main idea is appealing, the interaction between the two main characters is decent, but there is no sensation. A more restrained and focused version of the post-apocalyptic The Postman with Costner wanting it all and we know how that turned out. (17/03/2021)