“The Peanut Butter Falcon” Review by Melissa Sloter

Published by Leftover Brian

September 2, 2019 3:24 pm |

Before The Peanut Butter Falcon, the found family road trip epic created by writer and director team Tyler Nilson and Mike Schwartz, Shia LeBeouf’s Tyler may not have been invited to my birthday party. But Tyler, like most of us, takes a bit of time and attention to understand what makes him tick. Most of us, myself included, are guilty of neglecting that time and attention and instead worrying first of being understood rather than understanding. The Peanut Butter Falcon is a film that understands that in order to thrive, we must spend time working to understand those around us.

One person who is already ahead of the curve, is Zak, portrayed beautifully by Zack Gottsagen. From his first scene in the film Zak has a keen understanding of those around him and he uses that understanding to force those around him to take a closer look at him and see what he really needs, to delightfully funny results. Contrasted with Tyler who will lie, imbibe, and burn your dock down because he can’t see the forest for the trees. He’s unmoored, and he doesn’t see that he’s the one floundering. Once Zak and Tyler meet Tyler takes a crash course in how much better life can be when your attention is spent on those outside oneself. They become friends, buddies, road dogs, and most importantly, they become family.

Zack Gottsagen, as well as his character Zak, has down syndrome. The Peanut Butter Falcon doesn’t shy away from that and instead highlights the ways down syndrome has affected Zak’s life both externally and internally. One of my favorite scenes in the film is Tyler explaining to Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) the ways in which she’s failed Zak in her subconscious micro-aggressive behavior towards him. Another deeply moving scene is a discussion between Zak and Tyler that reveals the way Zak has internalized society’s view of those different from the norm.

When it comes down to it, we all need ties to bind us and every once in a while we need the help of gifted birthday wishes too. The Peanut Butter Falcon feels like that extra wish come true.

PCL Rating: Tupperware

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH 🍅

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Tags: Melissa Sloter, pop culture leftovers, The Peanut Butter Falcon 2019, The Peanut Butter Falcon Movie

Categorised in: Movie Reviews

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