Film Review: Arkansas (2020)

Arkansas is a blend of affectionate, easy going and satisfying – not something I expected to write regarding a film focusing on American drug-runners. It’s Clark Duke’s directorial debut, and a very competent and confident job he does.

The central pair of characters in Arkansas are Kyle (Liam Hemsworth) and Swin (Clark Duke himself), and neither are as good at their seedy job as they think they are. Or perhaps they’re simply not ready to move up to the level they’ve reached together at the beginning of the film, working with the man who takes orders from Her on behalf of the man. A small-to-middling deal results in a death, and suddenly Kyle and Swin are stuck, not knowing whether or how to make any move to stay safe.

This is the first of five chapters which Arkansas is neatly divided into. Thus, this little southern drug empire is explored from different angles. What at first seems to be a low-key buddy movie for Kyle and Swin turns out to be something much broader, and I appreciated it more and more as the film went on.

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Arkansas features familiar faces and true stars, and they all do a sound job, neither letting the side down nor overshadowing any of the others. John Malkovich (of all people) plays Bright, a park ranger in the shape of a large and smiley garden gnome. Vince Vaughn plays Frog, a crime boss/junk store proprietor with an amazing range of shirts. And Michael Kenneth Williams is Almond, another link in the criminal chain.

Although they are all played well, only one of these characters (Frog) is given any back story, and none are given much depth, and they are all so damn cocky! The only characters who are not are the two main female characters: Her (Vivica A. Fox) and Johnna (Edin Brolin).

Johnna is the only character given much range in her personality. Perhaps this is because of the way she unwittingly influences Swin towards settling down. Her innocence, observing and getting to know this pair from outside the drug scene, is simply written and beautifully portrayed by Brolin. And it shines a strong light on the criminal nature of Kyle and Swin’s lifestyle – which might be almost invisible behind their domesticity and growing friendship, if it wasn’t for this contrast.

Arkansas was written by Andrew Boonkrong, based on the novel by John Brandon. Though the presentation style seems inspired by Tarantino or the Coen brothers, but with less haste or tension. And this is fine: Arkansas is a soft grey shade of gentle noir which doesn’t need too much tension, but just the bare minimum to make the conclusion work.

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So what did I like about it? I liked the way the pieces fitted together, without jars or shocks or too-neat coincidences. Although the plot benefitted from some attention being paid, it was a little complex without being complicated. The reluctant partners in Kyle and Swin had just enough natural chemistry that although the first chapter may lead one to expect an odd-couple buddy movie, their friendship grows in a believable way and without any force or triggers required. Frog’s history leads smoothly into the contemporary story and well… everything just fits!

Some may find the down-played drama and unexciting characters a little dull for a crime film. To me, Arkansas worked precisely because it was not exaggerated or over-dramatic (perhaps like Tarantino or Coen brothers can be). The people could be found in any bar or supermarket and the crimes featured could take place in any city or state. As far as I can tell, Arkansas could just as easily be called “Alaska” or “Orkney”: it’s a believable, accessible and almost endearing story because it could take place in any home town.

Arkansas is available to stream now on Rakuten TV.