About the film (courtesy of Universal Pictures):
Five years after the end of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks), a widower and veteran of three wars, now moves from town to town as a non-fiction storyteller, sharing the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds, devastating catastrophes, and gripping adventures from the far reaches of the globe. In the plains of Texas, he crosses paths with Johanna (Helena Zengel), a 10-year-old taken in by the Kiowa people six years earlier and raised as one of their own. Johanna, hostile to a world she’s never experienced, is being returned to her biological aunt and uncle against her will. Kidd agrees to deliver the child where the law says she belongs. As they travel hundreds of miles into the unforgiving wilderness, the two will face tremendous challenges of both human and natural forces as they search for a place that either can call home.
Tom Hanks is an amazing actor, as he always seems to be, regardless of the roles being played. He has proven time and time again that there’s virtually nothing that he can’t do. That being said, he really, REALLY seems to get behind his onscreen roles as a captain. Including his latest performance in here, we’ve watched him brandish that title with pride in Greyhound (2020), Sully (2016), Captain Phillips (2013), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Apollo 13 (1995) and Forrest Gump (1994). It never gets old, and while he brings forth another solid performance, News of the World didn’t quite pull me in like his previous works.
News of the World features strong efforts by, of course, Tom Hanks. He’s joined by a young talented costar by the name Helena Zengel. And while she does not speak in abundance, it’s clear that she is more than up for being in the spotlight in what she brings to this film. Her emotions are crystal clear throughout and it’s her passion and conviction, that brings a true sense of emotion to what we see. This is really a two person show with a large supporting cast of many others.
While the acting is strong and the story itself is one that you can’t help but be interested in, News of the World feels like it has too many words and not enough action. There’s far more drama than adventure and action, but this isn’t that type of film. I still feel that it could have used at least one more good action scene.
The timing of News of the World coming out on Christmas Day is pretty good as it will serve as a good avenue of distraction and entertainment for a couple of hours. And historically speaking, you may find the way news was spread during this time to be quite interesting. This is probably one of director Paul Greengrass’s slower, more deliberate projects, but thankfully he has a good working relationship with Tom Hanks and allows Hanks to do what he does best, entertain and reel the audience in.
You can check out News of the World starring Tom Hanks in theaters starting Christmas Day, December 25.
