The Peanut Butter Falcon

First, the story. Zack and Tyler start their road-trip together up the coast of North Carolina, while meeting a strange cast of characters along the way. All showing some form of compassion for either Zack or Tyler. Starting with Bruce Dern as Carl, Dern and Gotsagen have amazing chemistry together. Carl is Zak’s advocate in the retirement home, and nothing brings him more joy than helping Zak escape.

One of the most touching meet-ups is with Winki (Wayne Dehart – Thanks Wayne!), a blind gun-toting preacher, who allows the pair to take supplies for their journey in exchange for a baptism. He offers Zak a purpose and Tyler forgiveness and salvation. This encounter leads to the film’s first of many eye-watering heart-gripping moments, and we’re only halfway through the film.

As the Salt Water Redneck, Thomas Haden Church turns on the charm finding new life not only for himself as the aging wrestler but ultimately helps Zak’s fulfill his dream in an unexpected way. Wrestling fans will enjoy cameos by Jake “The Snake” Roberts (speaking of redemption) and Mick Foley.

“You’ll never cringe at his acting and you’ll never ‘cut him a break’ because he doesn’t need you to.”

As great as the supporting cast is, the film shines solely from its leads. Shia LaBeouf is again at this best as Tyler—a gruff sojourner with a tragic past and a death wish. His friendship with Zak is real and heart-breaking. Dakota Johnson is perfect casting as Eleanor (not an overstatement). Fifty Shades aside, she proves once again to be a brilliant actor. Her relationship with Zak is adversarial not because he runs away, but because she treats him like a helpless child.

Then there’s Zack Gottsagen. This movie was going to be made with only Zack in the lead role. I’m not going to say it was a perfect performance, but I will say the kid’s got chops. You’ll never cringe at his acting and you’ll never “cut him a break” because he doesn’t need you to. You’ll never utter the words, “that’s pretty good for a…” The Peanut Butter Falcon refuses to condescend to its star and tells a story that’s authentic to the life and experiences of adults with Down Syndrome.

Lastly, this is a beautiful film visually. There’s not a great deal of sets or props. It’s just Zak and Tyler walking through the backwoods, marshes, swamps, and rivers of the Southeast. It’s also a reminder just how beautiful America is. The Peanut Butter Falcon comes across cinematic too. Do not miss this film when it comes to theaters! It deserves to be seen on the big screen. What’s clear is that a lot of development time, movie resources, and A-List actors all came together to make a masterpiece of a film centering on one person…Zack Gottsagen.