Year of Release: 2018
Director: Gus Van Sant
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black, Tony Greenhand, Beth Ditto, Mark Webber, Kim Gordon, Udo Kier, Carrie Brownstein, Ronnie Adrian, Kyle Dunnigan, Ron Perkins, Mireille Enos
Genre: Drama
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 7
Watch it on Amazon
Synopsis and Review:
After the not so well received "The Sea of Trees", director Gus Van Sant retreated to some directorial work on a few TV shows, only to return with this biopic on the life of cartoonist John Callahan. The film follows his story, from the 70s onwards, detailing his constant struggle with alcoholism, and how that impacts a most dramatic change in his life. While going to a party, he and a friend are involved in a car wreck, which leaves him permanently disabled, and tied to a wheelchair. Even with those problems, John continues to drink, until he has a realization that he can't keep going in that path, and that a profound life change is needed. He starts attending AA, where he meets the charismatic Donny, who becomes his sponsor and inspirational voice. Simultaneously, he also starts drawing constantly, submitting his work to publications who recognize his unique point of view and humor. The path to recovery is a long one, and John struggles to make amends with his past, but he finally starts seeing a direction which leaves him more peaceful with himself, and finally with life.
"Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot" is a return back to form for Gus Van Sant. The director, who in this case, is also responsible for the screenplay and co-editing of the feature, manages to create a film that is poignant, emotional, filled with humor, while also capturing a bit of the essence of this artist, struggling with his own demons, battling addictions and finding his own path in life. It's a film that has a non-linear aspect to it, which allows for John's narrative to be witnessed simultaneously at its worst, and also in a scenario where he has managed to dig himself out of the darkness in which he lived in (while also giving some insight to the works of the artist himself). It's a film that avoids sentimentality, choosing instead to portray the incidents and characters for what they are, without judging them, simply demonstrating the consequences of everyone's actions. It's superbly acted, with Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill and Rooney Mara all carving strong performances, something that extends to the briefer participations from Jack Black, Beth Ditto and Kim Gordon. The cinematography from Christopher Blauvelt perfectly captures the ebbs and flows of this artist's life throughout different decades, the same going for the always fantastic Danny Elfman, who once again creates a perfectly suited score. Worth watching, from an always interesting voice in film making.
"Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot" is a return back to form for Gus Van Sant. The director, who in this case, is also responsible for the screenplay and co-editing of the feature, manages to create a film that is poignant, emotional, filled with humor, while also capturing a bit of the essence of this artist, struggling with his own demons, battling addictions and finding his own path in life. It's a film that has a non-linear aspect to it, which allows for John's narrative to be witnessed simultaneously at its worst, and also in a scenario where he has managed to dig himself out of the darkness in which he lived in (while also giving some insight to the works of the artist himself). It's a film that avoids sentimentality, choosing instead to portray the incidents and characters for what they are, without judging them, simply demonstrating the consequences of everyone's actions. It's superbly acted, with Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill and Rooney Mara all carving strong performances, something that extends to the briefer participations from Jack Black, Beth Ditto and Kim Gordon. The cinematography from Christopher Blauvelt perfectly captures the ebbs and flows of this artist's life throughout different decades, the same going for the always fantastic Danny Elfman, who once again creates a perfectly suited score. Worth watching, from an always interesting voice in film making.
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