News of the World [Netflix]

This was a feel good Western drama that was well rounded in every senses. A simple, straight-forward screenplay that was well directed by director/co-writer Paul Greengrass. That shoot-out scene was tense and exciting and classic Greengrass action. It also featured the always reliable Tom Hanks who turned in another well-liked, daddy-good-shoes performance that just seen so genuine and unassuming and unfortunately also very expected from Hanks and unexciting. However, the film also showcased a star-is-rising turn by Helena Zengel who was a refreshing breath of raw talent. Rounding off the impeccable production, we also have James Newton Howard doing his usual thing and providing a beautiful score, and Dariusz Wolski lensing the wide-opened prairie as gorgeously as the closed-in, light-scarce frontier towns. The film also obviously had the budget for costumes and set-designs to lend itself an air of authenticity. 

Greengrass is a very competent director and this film moved along at a steady pace. Each set and sequence was given its necessary time and space to breathe. Nothing felt rushed or bloated, but again at the same time, it was also very expected and predictable with nary a surprise. There is some sort of comfort in that and this type of film. But, like aforementioned, the one standout was the classic Western shoot-out scene, and good old Hanks pulled it off with aplomb.

Hanks reunites with Greengrass following Captain Phillips for another Captain role, but this time it required less emotional lifting from him. This is not to say that it was an empty performance or that Hanks sleepwalked through it, but that his character just had less complexity. This was an archetypical hero/father-role that really only required Hanks to be full-on paternalistic to the absence of any other real characteristics. 

Zengel, on the other hand, was revelatory. She had a raw, unfettered energy that translated across the screen and though she had limited lines, her eyes and body language spoke volume. Her easy chemistry with Hanks also made the evolution of their relationship believable. And that definitely helped to sell the ending.

This was an impeccably produced studio film that entertained, but, after nearly 2-hours, also equally forgettable. It is likely to grab a bunch of nominations, but unlikely to convert any of that to wins. 

On a separate note, it is a pity that Kelly Reichardt's similar frontier-era Western First Cow is more or less going to be left out of the big awards although, compared to News of the World, it was a  more exciting and refreshing film, with a great, original story and outstanding acting.