SIFF 2019: "The Peanut Butter Falcon" Review

In the mind of Zak…a runaway with down syndrome…the world is made up of “good guys” and “bad guys”. He spends one scene assessing who’s good and bad, but when he identifies himself as a bad guy, his travel buddy, Tyler, corrects him, affirming that Zak is in fact a good guy. And it’s the dynamic between these two that make The Peanut Butter Falcon a good movie.

Zak crosses paths with Tyler after escaping a special care home to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Tyler, however, is a young troublemaker struggling to make ends meet. And while he’s initially reluctant to accompany Zak, the two quickly strike up a close friendship and help each other overcome the challenges of their circumstances.

For this film, “charming” is an understatement. The chemistry between Zack Gottsagen (Zak) and Shia Labeouf (Tyler) is wonderful. And the quirks of their friendship…from a customized best friend handshake to their invented-then-reinvented “rule #1”…bolsters some of the films best laughs and most endearing moments.

It’s unfortunate though that, in an attempt to channel the spirit of Mark Twain, The Peanut Butter Falcon’s plot is often illogical. It feels like narrative choices are being dictated by how the story “should” go rather than by a natural progression of events.

However, stylish cinematography, a perfect-fit score, and the likable leads kept me inclined to overlook the film’s narrative deficiencies. In the end, The Peanut Butter Falcon is certainly an adventure worth tagging along for.

MoviesThomas Stoneham-JudgeJune 13, 2019the peanut butter falcon, movie review, shia labeouf, zack gottsagenComment