News of the World is an American Western drama film directed by Paul Greengrass. It stars Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel in pivotal roles. It was released on 15th January 2021 on Video On Demand.
Set in the 1870s, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks) is a man who travels town to town reading newspapers for the people for 10 cents. As usual, he was on his way to another town when he encounters a young girl Johanna (Helena Zengel) who seems to be lost and one lieutenant who was patroling said him to take her to the Union Officials of the Indian Affairs Bureau so that she could return to her family.
Reaching there, Jefferson gets to know that the Bureau of Indian Affairs representative will be unavailable for the next three months. The two sets off on a journey together, Johanna who only speaks Kiowa, the language of her tribe tells Jefferson that her family has been killed during a raid. So it's now up to Jefferson to take her safely to her uncle's, by winning against all the obstacles meanwhile the bond between the two deepens.
Based on a 2016 novel, News of the World by Paulette Jiles, and a screenplay by
Paul Greengrass and Luke Davies, the storyline is not fresh and is shown in the old fashioned way set in 1870 but there is more to it. The characters are so effective that it manages to touch your heart every time with its beautiful moments between Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel. They are the backbone of this film and their one-sided conversation, Johanna speaking in Kiowa and Jefferson in English will bring a smile to your face.
It's their likable character and their heartening chemistry that will make you stick to this film, even though you can predict many scenes from far away. Knowing they will get over any hurdles together, it is Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel and their bond that will make you feel for them. I've not read the book, so I can't compare this film with that but it's good to see that makers didn't have nested unnecessary action sequences as it doesn't have any scope to be exciting.
There's one scene though, three ex-Confederate soldiers turned criminals offer Jefferson money for buying the girl and then they attack the two in the morning. The sequence was very well used to show that Johanna is daring enough and smart to help Jefferson even when he tells her to run away with the horses. It would have been disappointing in a western genre that's devoid of any action sequences.
In Bollywood, we have Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Almost everyone has watched that film and News of the World don't deliver anything different. That one was hilarious with many cracking scenes but this one has a more authentic feel to it, with a detailed, nuanced and layered storyline and characters with equally heartwarming moments between the two leads. It'll leave you with tears in your eyes, it's that effectual but that not strong or extreme to make you sob.
Tom Hanks as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd appears so natural in his performance, it's impossible to think that he's actually acting. His expressions are so detailed and not in a single frame you'll find him with bland. It's beyond brilliant, I can't describe his work with words. The same goes for Helena Zengel. A german child actress who has already won many awards, especially for her remarkable performance in 'Benni', here also amazes everyone with her silent yet so strong performance. In normal interactions or emotional scenes, she excels every time she is on screen. It will be shocking though to not see Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel getting nominated or winning awards for their phenomenal work.
The cinematography by Dariusz Wolski is eye-filling. The barren lands and everything has been beautifully captured, the aerial shots are breathtaking too. The production design by David Crank is spot on and the music by James Newton Howard is soothing and fits the tone of the film. The pacing of the film is slow and the editing by William Goldenberg could have been crisper.
Just like its name, News of the World is a beautiful film that showcases the humane bond between a roamer newsreader and a young girl, separated from her tribe and with no parents. With its story, it doesn't have anything fresh or more to offer, but it's nuanced characters and heartwarming moments are more than enough to win your hearts. Tom Hanks and Helena Zengel have delivered an Oscar-worthy performance, and overall is an emotional tale that will make you feel special and ensure that you had your two hours spent well. Just like Johanna says, it's "velly gut".
Rating:- 3.5/5
Now available via Video On Demand.
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