Movie Review
Siddharth Martis
1 / 5
Free State of Jones is a movie directed and written by Gary Ross. It stars Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Mahershala Ali, along with Keri Russell and Christopher Berry.
With an excellent cast and a previously successful director, Free State of Jones could have very well been the next Braveheart. Instead, it simply teeters on greatness, but ultimately settles on satisfying only itself, by never truly taking any risk and staying as unimaginative as possible. Unintentionally mocking viewers who expected more.
To add insult to an already massive injury, Gary Ross seems keener on delivering a history lesson than on exploring some of the more thoughtful themes and ideas presented throughout history. It glazed over themes like the true cost of freedom and racism carried over generations and opted to lightly touch on them through heavy-handed use of flash forwards and flashbacks, thus disjointing the film even more. The non-linear plotting also somewhat boxes in the film giving it no breathing room, making it completely stationary throughout its overlong runtime.
The best analogy I can really think of to describe the inertness of the film is comparing it to one of Gary Ross’ more compelling films, Seabiscuit. Imagine watching Seabiscuit, the racehorse, stand in his stable and eat hay the entire time while his trainer tells him some pseudo- inspirational things, and ultimately the move ends short of his first race. That would be a pretty boring movie, wouldn’t it?
A minor catharsis is provided, however, as the metaphorical trainer in this movie is played by Mathew McConaughey. Alright, Alright, Alright. Though he fits squarely in his designated typecast in the role, he also plays it surprisingly well, as does Gugu Mbatha-Raw, elevating the movie slightly.
In 1863, Mississippi farmer Newt Knight serves as a medic for the Confederate Army. Opposed to slavery, Knight would rather help the wounded than fight the Union. After his nephew dies in battle, Newt returns home to Jones County to safeguard his family but is soon branded an outlaw deserter. Forced to flee, he finds refuge with a group of runaway slaves hiding out in the swamps. Forging an alliance with the slaves and other farmers, Knight leads a rebellion that would forever change history.Free State of Jones is without a doubt the worst movie of 2016 so far. It isn’t as terrible as Norm of The North or as inexcusably inept as God of Egypt. It isn’t as frantically rushed as Hardcore Henry or as flat out stupid as The Boy. No, Free State of Jones commits an even bigger sin than these four travesties; it squanders its potential.
With an excellent cast and a previously successful director, Free State of Jones could have very well been the next Braveheart. Instead, it simply teeters on greatness, but ultimately settles on satisfying only itself, by never truly taking any risk and staying as unimaginative as possible. Unintentionally mocking viewers who expected more.
To add insult to an already massive injury, Gary Ross seems keener on delivering a history lesson than on exploring some of the more thoughtful themes and ideas presented throughout history. It glazed over themes like the true cost of freedom and racism carried over generations and opted to lightly touch on them through heavy-handed use of flash forwards and flashbacks, thus disjointing the film even more. The non-linear plotting also somewhat boxes in the film giving it no breathing room, making it completely stationary throughout its overlong runtime.
The best analogy I can really think of to describe the inertness of the film is comparing it to one of Gary Ross’ more compelling films, Seabiscuit. Imagine watching Seabiscuit, the racehorse, stand in his stable and eat hay the entire time while his trainer tells him some pseudo- inspirational things, and ultimately the move ends short of his first race. That would be a pretty boring movie, wouldn’t it?
A minor catharsis is provided, however, as the metaphorical trainer in this movie is played by Mathew McConaughey. Alright, Alright, Alright. Though he fits squarely in his designated typecast in the role, he also plays it surprisingly well, as does Gugu Mbatha-Raw, elevating the movie slightly.