Movie Review: News of the World

 

Rating: *****

I love Tom Hanks so anything he appears in I know is going to be good. In fact, I can't really think of one bad movie he's been in... oh wait, I take that back, The Money Pit. He's a fantastic actor, period. 

News of the World is so touching! You know one of those movies where you're talking to the movie screen? Well, this one qualifies. The story is about a lonely Captain Kidd who goes from town to town reading the newspapers to patrons as entertainment five years after the Civil War has ended. On his way to the next town, he finds a destroyed wagon with a young girl hiding in it. She's a lost "wild child" whom he tries to help. We soon discover that the German immigrant's name is Johanna, according to her papers, and that the feds were trying to take her "home" to her surviving relatives who live near San Antonio, Texas. Her parents, German settlers, were killed and she was adopted by the Kiowa Indians. She doesn't speak English, which puts somewhat of a language barrier between her and the Captain.

The twosome soon take a harrowing journey across the Texas plains to return her to her biological relatives. They soon encounter dangers both natural and man made. Captain Kidd does everything he can to protect Johanna from the unlawful soldiers and other sundry bad guys. 

 I don't want to give any spoilers, but to share the moment when you realize Captain Kidd and his "daughter" have bonded. The love was prevalent between these two characters. Hanks' natural kindness and ability to convey empathy makes you root for these two lost souls. I just loved this movie. I always enjoy cinema with a heart! This movie has a soulful quality to it. 

I highly recommend it.