• Home
  • Meetings
  • Events
  • Blog
  • E-Board
  • Around Boston
NUFEC
.

Arjun Agarwal on Free State of Jones

6/25/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
After watching Free State of Jones, I have a sinking feeling that the “McConaissance” is in decline. Matthew McConaughey has turned in some incredible work over the last couple of years with The Lincoln Lawyer, Mud, Killer Joe, Dallas Buyers Club and True Detective. His latest performance is by no means bad but rather just unmemorable. I will chalk this up to the film in general which doesn’t work on so many levels. There are jarring tonal shifts and time jumps that don’t make the already convoluted plot any easier to follow along.

In 1863, Mississippi farmer-turned-medic Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey) leaves the Confederate Army after watching his nephew die in battle. Branded an outlaw deserter, Newt returns home to Jones County only to find his friends and family suffering for his actions. He forms an alliance with a group of local farmers and runaway slaves who are tired of fighting a rich man’s war. Together they lead a rebellion that will forever change the course of American history.

After the unbearable slog that is the first twenty minutes, the film starts to get interesting. Newt has a humanitarian interest in unifying his brothers in arms to take back what is rightfully theirs. He demonstrates his compassion for all men as he attempts to bridge the gap between slaves and farmers who are at odds with one another. This is the film’s strength, as it explores the subject of slavery in a manner that is emotionally draining. There are countless scenes that just make you feel like a helpless observer forced to watch these atrocities unfold. The intensity of these moments ramps up as time progresses making for quite the uncomfortable, albeit stimulating cinema experience. Unfortunately, these poignant instances don’t make up for the film’s flaws. I’m not a fan of movies that have multiple endings and sadly Free State of Jones falls into that camp. It’s third act drags on forever without saying anything that hasn’t already been said. It just hammers home the same point until the credits which is quite wearing.

If you’re interested in the monumental importance of this historical event, Free State of Jones is worth a watch. Despite my negative impression, the movie will make you reflect on this country’s storied past and worry about the cyclical racial injustice that goes on to this very day. This is not a feel good movie so if you want a great popcorn flick, you will be better off sticking with Independence Day: Resurgence which is bound to be an enjoyable summer blockbuster.

Grade: C
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    AJ Martin
    Andy Robinson
    Anime
    Anthony Formicola
    Anu Gulati
    Arjun Agarwal
    Arzu Martinez
    Ben Garbow
    Brandon Isaacson
    Brian Hamilton
    Carter Sigl
    Dan Simeone
    Discussion
    Elizabeth Johnson Wilson
    Eliza Rosenberry
    Emily Fisler
    Erick Sanchez
    Eric Tatar
    Essays
    Festivals
    Gabrielle Ulubay
    Grace Phalon
    Haley Emerson
    Here's Some Movies
    Ian Wolff
    IFF Boston
    IFFBoston 2015
    Interviews
    Isaac Feldberg
    Kunal Asarsa
    Library
    Lists
    Marguerite Darcy
    Marissa Marchese
    Marli Dorn
    Mary Tobin
    Meghan Murphy
    Mike Muse
    Mitch Macro
    Neel Shah
    Netflix Instant Watch
    Parth Parekh
    Patrick Roos
    Profiles
    Reviews
    Short Films
    Television
    This Week In Movies
    Tyler Rosini

    Want to Write for Us?

    Contact NUFEC at [email protected] if you're interested in writing for this blog!

    Archives

    October 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    April 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    October 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.