*contains spoilers*
Released by Netflix on February 10th 2021, News of the World is a moving portrayal of humanity, companionship and responsibility. Starring Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel, and directed by Paul Greengrass, this adaptation of Paulette Jiles’ novel follows ex-Confederate Army soldier, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, as he encounters a young, lost girl with whom he forms an unexpected bond. Said to be some of Hanks’ finest work, and with the exciting introduction to young German actress Helena Zengel, this is a warming story of a man who has both no choice, and every choice, to assume fatherhood.
Set in 1870 in the vast desert landscapes of the deep south of the USA, we meet Captain Kidd (Hanks) as he is going about his regular travels between towns reading newspapers to the members of each community, delivering news about the rest of America and the world. On his return journey from one news reading event, Kidd stumbles across a young girl, lost and alone after her assumed chaperone is murdered and their wagon overturned. With the girl, named Johanna (Zengel) speaking virtually no English, Kidd must decipher the reasons for her situation and help her find home, in whatever form that may be.
Tom Hanks has done more than his fair share of work playing strong male protagonists – Philadelphia (1993), Castaway (2000) and Captain Phillips (2013) to name a few – but his debut Western performance in News of the World is nothing short of exceptional.
”Hanks beautifully displays a man of powerful emotional range”
From his skilful stunt work in the historically and aesthetically pleasing shoot-out scene, to the emotional final moments at his wife’s grave, Hanks beautifully displays a man of powerful emotional range, with that certain unique charm attached to all of his roles.
However, in a film with such an important and complex central relationship, a potential weak link in another actor’s performance could cause disaster for the film’s success. Thankfully for the creators and casting-directors of News of the World, this was not the case with this Golden Globe nominated picture.
Twelve-year-old Helena Zengel is stunning as Johanna, and makes acting opposite Tom Hanks look easy, pleasant and natural. Although silent for most of the movie due to the language barrier, her emotional performance is astonishing. The organic chemistry between Hanks and Zengel is a result of absolute conviction, communication beyond dialogue, and sheer talent.
”Washington and Hanks deliver excellent performances, as do their respective co-stars”
Whilst watching, I felt tempted to compare this on-screen relationship to that between Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in Tony Scott’s 2004 action thriller Man on Fire. It is certainly a challenge to achieve an authentic portrayal of a close relationship between an older man and a young girl (that is not between father and daughter, or indeed a relationship that is perhaps more sinister) but in both cases Washington and Hanks deliver excellent performances, as do their respective co-stars.
We are convinced that the man feels completely and absolutely responsible for the girl and will love and protect her as if she were his own daughter, and this is something which we gather early on in News of the World. Although at first reluctant due to his pre-occupation, Kidd of course takes responsibility for Johanna’s safety, and at times puts his own life at risk to save hers – the ultimate symbol of parenthood, love and protection.
”People have the time and energy to put into interesting stories and create new movies from the world’s favourite actors”
With multiple prestigious award nominations, including a Golden Globe ‘Best Supporting Actress’ nomination for Zengel and considerable ‘Oscar-buzz’, News of The World has mostly been received well by critics. Due to the current climate and somewhat ‘dry’ period in film and theatre, it is arguably the most sensible option to divert films straight to online streaming platforms such as Netflix. Whilst perhaps less lucrative, people have the time and energy to put into interesting stories and create new movies from the world’s favourite actors. For a film dotted with important messages, moving performances and heavy details of America’s past, it provides for an entertaining, yet reflective and cathartic viewing experience, perfect for another evening in lockdown.
Alex Berry
Featured image courtesy of Thibault Penin via Unsplash. Image license found here. No changes were made to this image.