*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*
News of the World focuses on Captain Jefferson Kidd (Tom Hanks) who travels across 1870's Texas delivering the news to illiterate townspeople. However, a shocking discovery of a young orphan girl, Johanna (Helena Zengel) leads to him travelling 400 miles to take to her aunt and uncle's farmstead.
Greengrass is best known for making the 2013 Oscar nominated intense thriller, Captain Phillips, which also starred Hanks, and several of the action packed Bourne films starring Matt Damon. With News of the World, Greengrass proves he’s skilful at making a good Western film. It's far from one of the best Westerns ever made, however, I can imagine those who enjoy the genre will appreciate what Greengrass has created. Although Western isn’t one of my favourite genres, I was still impressed with News of the World as it focuses more on its main characters and the close relationship that they form on their journey.
In the beginning of the film, Captain Kidd delivers the news to the townspeople in an energetic and entertaining way. Because there was, obviously, no such thing as televisions in the nineteenth century and because the majority of the townspeople can’t read, Kidd provides them with the best way of learning about the important news stories of the world. Although he appears happy on stage, Kidd is a grieving widower whose wife died from cholera whilst he was fighting in the American Civil War. The way this is revealed is subtle as we learn of his wife's death after Kidd visits a friend who asks him how long it's been. It's obvious that Kidd doesn’t like talking about the death of his wife and we understand why he spends his time delivering the news to paying audiences. Unsurprisingly, Hanks is likeable as Kidd and continues to establish himself as one of the most talented actors working today. He's unlikely to receive an Oscar nomination, however, I don’t think that was Hanks' intention. It's obvious that he’s more interested in portraying different characters who are fascinating, rather than similar roles. Alongside him, Zengel is equally as impressive as Johanna, a lonely orphan who doesn’t really understand Kidd's intentions as there’s a language barrier between them. However, over the course of their long journey, Kidd becomes like a father figure to Johanna. Watching the relationship form between the pair is where News of the World is at its most heartfelt. Despite the language barrier, Kidd makes an effort to teach Johanna English and learns her native language.
News of the World's story isn’t unpredictable, however, that didn’t prevent me from enjoying it. On their journey, Kidd and Johanna face several obstacles, including a confrontation with three less than friendly ex-Confederate soldiers turned criminals who are interested in purchasing Johanna. This leads to a tense shoot out in the wilderness during which Kidd and Johanna overcome obstacles to work together for self-preservation. I can understand why Greengrass, who co-wrote the screenplay with Luke Davies, added in these action sequences as News of the World would have been a dull watch.
Recently Netflix has increased in popularity with many of the films, that were due to be released in cinemas last year, being added to their ever growing library of films and television series. News of the World isn’t the best film that’s currently available on the streaming service, which includes Oscar worthy films such as Aaron Sorkin's The Trial of the Chicago 7, David Fincher's Mank, George C. Wolfe's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Kornél Mundruczó's Pieces of a Woman, however, those looking for a new Western and fans of Tom Hanks will, most likely, enjoy what Paul Greengrass has created as it offers two hours of entertainment.
7/10
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