News of the World Review (Spoiler-free!)

Yo Ho, WeRCatz here!

Christmas 2020 saw the release of the film News of the World starring Tom Hanks. Based on the novel News of the World written by author Paulette Jiles, the film takes place in 1870s Texas where Hanks portrays a Civil War vet who reluctantly escorts a young girl to her remaining family.

The film as a whole is a slow burn with flickering bursts of flame as the viewer is taken along with the long journey that Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Hanks) embarks on; his primary work is traveling from town to town reading the most recent news to the public in the evening for ten cents a person. He meets Johanna (Helena Zengel) after investigating a wagon that was overturned. Reporting her to the Union officials leads to Kidd taking Johanna to her relatives.

Many scenes were a bit too slow, but they were necessary since conflicts come into play at the precise moment; Texas was still undeveloped with no roads or markers. This approach makes coming into a different town have more meaning throughout the film. As for the main protagonists, their bond becomes more emotional after passing through different scenarios.

After viewing this film, I must say that News of the World merits a viewing. Once in a while, life in the fast lane becomes banal and a good slow-down helps one recuperate their senses to view a vast setting.