Now available on Blu-ray, DVD, and on Digital is the smash hit comedy, The Peanut Butter Falcon.
The film stars Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church and introduces Zack Gottsagen.
The Peanut Butter Falcon is a “buddy” film, but it’s so much more than that. Much, much more.
Zak (Gottsagen) is a young man with Downs Syndrome that resides in a state nursing home. He has no family, relatives or friends to care for him.
Zak is obsessed with wrestling. He wants to attend a wrestling school so that he can become a wrestler. He is especially interested in a wrestler named Salt Water Redneck (Church). He watches a video put out by Salt Water Redneck over and over again. Zak has even tried to escape a few times to find Salt Water Redneck. For that reason he is labeled as a “flight risk.”
Zak’s room mate, Carl (Dern) is fed up having to watch the same video all the time, and encourages Zak to try and escape the facility yet again. In fact, he even helps Zak to escape.
Zak takes off and soon takes shelter under the tarp on an old boat. The boat gets commandeered by a young man named Tyler (LaBeouf). He discovers his stowaway while trying to outrun his rival crab fisherman, Duncan, down the river.
Initially, Tyler is not too keen on the uninvited guest, but as time goes by he can sympathize with Zac’s desire to find Salt Water Redneck. He even offers to help Zac find him. He also teaches Zac how to do things, like shoot a gun. They also eat a lot of peanut butter, because that is pretty much all they can afford.
Meanwhile, a worker from the facility that befriended Zac, Eleanor (Johnson), sets out to find Zac before her boss places the order to have Zac placed in a state run hospital with a horrible reputation.
After some time, Eleanor is able to track down Zac and his new friend, Tyler. Tyler is instantly smitten with Eleanor. He even convinces her to join them on their quest to find Salt Water Redneck. She eventually agrees, under the condition that once he meets Salt Water Redneck, that he’s returns with her.
Will the trio ever track down Salt Water Redneck? Will Zac be able to learn how to wrestle from his hero before he’s returned to the hospital? What will become of his newfound friendship with Tyler? And where does the film’s title, The Peanut Butter Falcon, come from? To find the answers you need to purchase or rent The Peanut Butter Falcon. Look for it where ever movies are sold or rented.
I learned from something I watched on television about this film that Zack Gottsagen practically had this film written with him in mind. I saw an interview (I forgot who was interviewed) that Zack met someone associated with the film that he wanted to be in a movie. Since there were no movies in the works that required an actor with Downs Syndrome, the film was made with Zack in mind. Apparently other actors auditioned for the role of Zac, but no one was more convince able than Zack himself. After all, Zack has Downs Syndrome himself (in real life).
Zack Gottsagen stole the whole film. Sure, Johnson and LaBeouf did well with their respective characters, but no one did a better job than Zack. He’s charming and genuine. He brought something to this role that no other actor (actors without Downs Sydrome) could have accomplished. Zack made his character real. In all intensive purposes, his character IS real because he’s somewhat a reflection of himself.
It’s such a shame that Hollywood doesn’t tap into the wealth of talent that people with different abilities have. Gottsagen proves that just because he maybe be a little different, doesn’t mean that he cannot act (and act incredibly well, with great humor) just as well as other Hollywood actors. Maybe some actors need to take some acting lessons from Gottsagen.
I enjoyed LaBeouf in Transformers, Holes, Disturbia and Even Stevens. He’s done a lot of films, but none really stood out to me except what was mentioned. However, after seeing him in this film I have a new appreciation for him.
I’ve only ever seen Dakota Johnson in the Fifty Shades films. Who knew she could do comedy.
The movie’s cinematography really adds to the look and feel of the film. The locations the film was shot are beautiful. It made me want to hop on a boat and sail down river myself.
There is something very “authentic” about this film (for lack of a better description). It’s more about the characters and story line than fancy special effects and crazy plots. It seems like it could really happen.
The Peanut Butter Falcon is one of those rare films that will make you laugh, cry, cheer for joy, get you angry, all in the same film. I actually liked this film so much that I’ve already watched it twice. It’s a feel good movie. It truly is.
Check out these fun branded items I received along with the review copy of the film. I received two Peanut Butter Falcon t-shirts and Peanut Butter Falcon peanut butter (we LOVE peanut butter and have already started to use this jar). I love it!
If you would like to learn more about the film, you can visit it’s official website, ThePeanutButterFalconMovie.com. The film can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Those links are found on the top right corner of the film’s home page.
The official hashtag is #ThePeanutButterFalcon.
Did you see the film? If so, what did YOU think about it? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy and other branded materials to facilitate my review. There was no compensation. THe opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
Jackie says
I love “feel good movies” and am looking forward to seeing this. Thank you for the review!