LFF Review: The Peanut Butter Falcon

“Friends are the family you chose”. Only six words but so much truth behind them. It’s not only applicable for each one of us but most important also for Zak, the leading character in writers/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz their first full-length film. Saying that The Peanut Butter Falcon would be just a feel-good movie would be such a massive understatement. You’ll instantly fall in love with this film because of its beautifulness, tenderness and the outstanding performance from Zack Gottsagen.

It’s dinner time at the care home of Zak (Zack Gottsagen). While he’s still young and has a life ahead full of dreams and hopes, they put him in the home because he has Down Syndrome. He doesn’t want to be here (we can’t blame him for that) and after multiple brave, funny but unsuccessful escape attempts, he finally succeeds to spread his wings as he can escape successfully this time.

While his carer Eleanor (Dakota Johnson) is trying to figure out what happened, Zak is already as far away from the home as possible. Not really knowing anyone in the outside world, he’s being left on his own. Exhausted and disorientated, he finds shelter in the boat from Tyler (Shia LaBeouf).

It seems Tyler has his problems. After falling out with the wrong people, he takes his boat to the deep water, still unaware that Zak is with him on board. It doesn’t take long before Zak is uncovered. At first, Tyler seems reserved, harsh and hostile against him but after finding out his story, his passion for boxing and the lust for life, they start to bond. Because both have to travel the same direction (Tyler to hide from his problems and Zak to see his boxing hero), a brotherhood starts to blossom. A funny, open and loving one.

Their friendship might come to an end when Eleanor has found out where Zak is. She wants to take him back to the home. However, after experiencing the friendship between Zak and Tyler first hand, she knows what is best for him. Going on adventures, living his own free life and discovering the world. The trio is having the time of their lives but this is about to change. Not only is Eleanor torn between her duty as a caretaker and as a friend of Zak, but Tyler his past is also catching upon him. Will the friends survive the darkness, uncertainty, and troubles?

After receiving its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in March and travelling to Lighthouse International Film Festival and Nantucket Film Festival, The Peanut Butter Falcon very recently got its UK premiere as part of the BFI London Film Festival. It comes as no surprise that Tricia Tuttle and her team of programmers decided to make from this film their gala. They want to make sure that everyone gets the chance to see this gorgeous, wonderful, funny and heartbreaking film. One you should see and here’s why.

First of all, we want to applaud Nilson and Schwartz as the writers of this film. Their story is one of the most personal, heartbreaking but also most uplifting and funny ones we’ve seen in a while. The jokes and cleverly written dialogue are following each other in speed tempo and there are also darker and serious moments in this film.

A funny, witty and emotional story wouldn’t be anything without great performances. Just do us one favour, forget the big names of this film right now. There’s only one name you should and will remember and that’s the one of Gottsagen. He’s making his film debut with this movie and is the real star of it. He brings bucket loads of humour, wittiness, emotional and personality to this film. It’s amazing to see that the directors and their casting team gave him the chance to shine and that’s exactly what he does.

He does it together with the wonderful performance of LaBeouf (Borg vs. McEnroe, American Honey). LaBeouf doesn’t only bring a highly rock ‘n roll and bad boy vibe to this film but he’s also capable of showing the more vulnerable and emotional side of Tyler. Johnson (Suspiria, Bad Times at the El Royale) is wonderful again as the loving and caring Eleanor. She gives a very mature, emotional and gracious performance.

To get that emotional connection even more, the filmmakers wanted to make this film to look as real as possible. They’re doing that by using (almost) no special effects. There are no unrealistic scenes, fancy settings or too overwhelming clothes used in this film. The Peanut Butter Falcon gets an incredible natural look because of that.

It just takes only the first scene to make you realise what a wonderful film The Peanut Butter Falcon is. The rest is just a confirmation of what we already knew. This movie is a heartwarming, funny and relation movie that included nice chemistry between all three leads. We can guarantee you that you will fall in love with The Peanut Butter Falcon instantly.