Free Essay - Peanut Butter Falcon

The movie "Peanut Butter Falcon" by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz is a dramatic comedy movie that follows Zak's life (Zakh) as he endeavors to pursue his dreams as a professional wrestler. The film is a tall tale built around Zak's life, who has Down syndrome and dreams of becoming a professional wrestler like his idol, the legendary saltwater Redneck (Thomas Haden Church) (Walker). He runs away from the nursing home where he was kept with older people, to chase his dreams as a wrestler. While running away, he is followed by his caretaker at the nursing home Eleanor (Dakota Jonson), and he meets the other protagonist Tyler (Shia LeBeouf), and the three form a strong bond that shapes the entire movie. The movie Peanut Butter Falcon is perfect for audiences worldwide as a result of the plot, the actors involved, the setting, and the scenery as it endeavors to show the world that all things are possible despite any disability.

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It is a testament that the predictable but powerfully resonant story portrayed in peanut butter falcon is elevated by the naturalness of its performances, making it an inspirational and entertaining film to watch. Zak, a 22-year-old boy with Down syndrome stuck at a southern institution all his life, is obsessed with his idol Salt water Redneck as he watches his infomercials on VHS all the time. Zak's obsession with professional wrestling; results in him escaping from the nursing home with aided by his old roommate Carl (Bruce Dern). Despite having down syndrome, Zak ultimately flees, he then comes into contact with Tyler (LeBeouf) on a stolen boat from where their unfamiliar friendship is formed. When Eleanor Zak's caretaker at the nursing home comes searching for him, she too joins in their adventure. His escape catapults the entire movie as we follow the three troubles souls as they wind through deltas elude capture and even find God. Zak's determination convinces Tyler to coach and trains him as they make their way to Florida. The two protagonists are given an equal footing in the movie, as they both bring out the best in each other. Their journey is not all rosy as when they get there; they find that the wrestling school was closed, and Clint (Thomas Haden Church), aka Salt Water Redneck, is retired. However, all is not in vain Clint takes Zak under his wing and prepares him for a fight. An ensuing romance evolves between Tyler and Eleanor (Nilson and Schwartz).

The actors provide a holistic view of their struggles as they seek to help Zak and find enlightenment. The protagonist Zak a 22-year-old diagnosed with Down syndrome, is an actor who perfectly fits his character as he can show that Down syndrome is not an inability. Zak's disarming enthusiasm captures my attention from the beginning of the movie. He covers his entire body with oil as he escaped from the institution, he is held in with his roommate Carl. Despite Zak being a simple boy who cannot fend for himself, he courageously follows his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. He goes against the notion of him being helpless (Wilson). Zak was able to bring out the best in the other actors. Very few actors with his condition have been ready to star in such a great movie. Shia LeBeouf plays the character of Tyler, a man aching with grief from his brother's death to which he feels guilty. Onsight, Tyler looks like a scruffy young man with no much to offer, but he takes Zak in and coaches him on their way to Florida. Tyler's character is quite intriguing with his troubled past and disputable motives in helping. Despite him wanting to get rid of Zak after finding him on the boat, he willingly decides to accompany him to the wrestling school and even later takes on taking care of Zak. His cockiness and sense of humor are seen as they drink beer, and he talks of Zak being a hero at heart and not a "Down's syndrome."

On the other hand, Johnson provides a warm, witty character who genuinely cares for Zak but wrongfully believes that Zak is incapable of handling himself but supports him nonetheless. Ultimately her developing romance with Tyler is successful as they share a moment by kissing in the car (Tuttle). Her character is underdeveloped despite her playing a significant role. Despite this, Zak's and Tyler's performance can hide other characters' underdevelopment in the film.

The director Tyler opted for a serene oceanic beautiful scenery that connects the movie to the blue-collar fishing culture to the south. The setting mostly eludes it hackle berry fin and mark twain's stories of adventure. The soundtrack of old western music gives the movie a more traditional and original look on the big screen. Tyler made the movie as an atonement to his friendship with Zak, who has down syndrome. The breathtaking cinematography makes the troupe's journey fan to watch. The directors were very creative in creating a high-speed boat chase outside the James bond films and even naming Zak's wresting idol Salt Water Redneck (Walker). Despite the movie being somewhat predictable, the creativity in the film can surpass its misgivings.

Conclusively the movie is a great watch that promotes male friendship when male feelings are highly disregarded. The emotion defines the relationship between the characters they bring on set and how they bring out the best in each other throughout the movie. Tyler's friendship with Zak ultimately led to Zak becoming stronger and self-independent, a trait Eleanor thought he did not possess. The film ideally points out that the world is genuinely complicated but can be navigated with those we consider to be friends and family. People should not be judged based on their appearance, preferably by who they indeed are. Gottsagen performance incredibly shows that actors with disabilities can pull a great show all by themselves. Ultimately the story hits many emotions at all points, making it a great movie to watch with family and friends.

Works Cited

Peanut Butter Falcon. Directed by Tyler Nilson, and Michael Schwartz, performances by Zach Gottsagen, Shia LeBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Thomas Haden Church. 2019. Roadside Attractions, 2019.

Tuttle, John. "The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019) Review: A Story in Need of Telling." Medium, 28 Sept. 2019, medium.com/of-intellect-and-interest/the-peanut-butter-falcon-2019-review-a-story-in-need-of-telling-bfb341dcfbf.

Walker, Matt. "'The Peanut Butter Falcon' Is an Outer Banks Odyssey." Outside Online, 12 Aug. 2019, www.outsideonline.com/2400727/peanut-butter-falcon.

Wilson, Jake. "The Peanut Butter Falcon Review: Tall Tales with a Sweet Tooth." The Age, 29 Jan. 2020, www.theage.com.au/culture/movies/the-peanut-butter-falcon-is-a-tall-tale-with-a-sweet-tooth-20200128-p53veg.html.