Released in 2019, The Peanut Butter Falcon is an American comedy-drama film written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson. The film stars Dakota Johnson, Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church, John Hawkes, and Jon Bernthal.
The film depicts a young man named Zac, a person with Down Syndrome (Gottsagen), who escapes from a retirement home facility to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Along his adventure, he befriends a struggling fisherman (Labeouf) as the two share the same path for their goals. Meanwhile, a social worker (Johnson) tries to track them and tries to rescue Zac from escaping.
The film took place in Georgia and North Carolina. It had its world premiere on March 9, 2019, as an independent film. However, this film wowed the public as it grossed over $23 million. It broke a record making it the highest-grossing independent film of the year.
As I was watching the film, it just feels heartwarming to see a person with Down syndrome in a movie. Zack has shown great and promising talent which captured the hearts of the audience. He did well on the film. I thought it was no longer acting, he just showed his genuine personality. With Shia and Dakota, they established chemistry as the story unfolds.
: Plot
Zac is a 22-year-old man with Down Syndrome who escapes from a retirement home facility which Eleanor, is one of the social workers too. With the help of Zac's elderly roommate, he was able to escape through the window and embark on his journey to train as a professional wrestler through the influence of his hero, the Saltwater Redneck.
Meanwhile, Tyler, who is a struggling fisherman, got fired for bringing in illegal crab catches. To set the game fair, he decided to burn the equipment of his rivals and goes on the run himself.
Zac, hid himself under a thick cloth placed on Tyler's boat. Tyler asked about what Zac is doing on his boat. Zac explained about his desire to become a professional wrestler and soon befriends Tyler later on.
Tyler also wants to start a life in Florida, where the state is known as rich for the fishing industry. The two set rules and limitations to each other and developed friendship along the adventure.
Meanwhile, Eleanor is on the way to find Zac to return him safely to the facility. Unexpectedly, Tyler and Eleanor came across each other in a convenience store but Tyler didn't tell the truth about his journey with Zac.
As the two travel, Tyler teaches Zac several life skills. He teaches him how to use a gun and pull a trigger, and also swimming. Eventually, he takes the role of his coach, getting himself ready by staying in shape for his wrestling endeavors.
As they were resting for the night, Tyler encourages Zac to be determined and stay strong. He suggested creating Zac's Monicker. He then named himself the Peanut Butter Falcon. Peanut Butter because of the food they only have during the travel and Falcon, as his favorite animal.
They have to cross a river since it is the fastest route to get to the location and so they build a raft and begin traveling by water. However, Eleanor soon finds them and convinces Zac to go back to the facility but after learning her boss to send Zac to a more severe form of confinement, she joins to travel with them.
One night, when the three of them are resting on an abandoned house, Tyler woke up when he heard their raft is set on fire. To his surprise, it was his rivals who set the raft on fire but Zac came to the rescue by threatening them with a gun.
As they reach North Carolina, Tyler learns that Clint (the Saltwater Redneck) professional wrestler has already retired and closed the wrestling school. Hopeless, he tells Zac that wrestling no longer exists in North Carolina and he won't be the wrestler he's dream of.
However, Clint changed his mind and considered Zac by training him for wrestling. He saw the desire and dedication in Zac. The day after the training, the Saltwater Redneck puts Zac on a local wrestling fight. He puts in one of the strongest competitors known in the state but he paid the referee to sabotage the fight for Zac's safety. Although Sam (Zac's opponent) doesn't hold back and took the fight seriously, he beat Zac as he could but Tyler encouraged Zac to fight back and show he has potential in wrestling.
As soon as Zac managed to fight back his opponent, Tyler's fishing rivals came to the venue and smash him on the head with a tire iron. Tyler went unconscious making Zac lift Sam overhead and forcefully throw Sam out of the ring, which the Saltwater Redneck had told himself was impossible.
Meanwhile, the hospital scene was quite misleading as Eleanor acted devastated upon learning Tyler's situation when the doctor explained. Zac blew his birthday candle with grief and sadness in his expression.
The next scene was Eleanor is driving the car with Zac and it shows the road sign Florida, indicating they have reached Tyler's destination. Zac then woke up Tyler in the back seat with a plaster on his head but still managed to smile implying the start of a new life.
Here's the trailer:
This film mainly talks about companionship and friendship. Meeting someone you have never expected could create a huge impact in your life. May it be positive of negative, it will give you life lessons.
Can I just elaborate how adorable Dakota Johnson here? She displayed perfection and she will always be.
I might have to compile a list of movies of Dakota Johnson and her biography. She's my girl crush, along with Blake Lively, Gal Gadot, and Jennifer Aniston 😍❤
Other Movie Reviews and Summaries I made:
Ghost
I had a glimpe of this on fox movies, akala ko is family sila. kala ko husband and wife yun dalawa then anak nila yun may down syndrome..Now I know.