My Movie Review on Free State of Jones
What’s up, guys! I’m back with another review.
Today, I’ll be reviewing “Free State of Jones”.
In 1863, Mississippi farmer Newton Knight (played by Matthew McConaughey) serves as a medic for the Confederate Army. Opposed to slavery, Knight would rather help the wounded than fight the Union. After his nephew dies in battle, Newton returns home to Jones County to safeguard his family but is soon branded an outlaw deserter. Forced to flee, he finds refuge with a group of runaway slaves hiding out in the swamps. Forging an alliance with the slaves and other farmers, Knight leads a rebellion that would forever change history.
I thought that the film definitely intriguing, but...sadly, it isn’t without its downs.
The story by Gary Ross and Leonard Hartman was in so many ways awfully confusing. Particular things that confused me involved Rachel (played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and Serena (played by Keri Russell). I had trouble discerning their roles and character relationships with Newton Knight, really. It’s mainly because the roles they had weren’t ones I understood or found to be easy to tell due to the fact the story didn’t explain it too well.
It also just wasn’t the most exciting and action-packed film I’ve seen due to the lack of both. The story was also too all over the place, not sticking to one timeline or narrative.
The direction by Gary Ross certainly didn’t help things be any clearer. There was too much scene switching, and the camera angling seemed to be everywhere with no restraint. Aside from confusion, the violence that the film had was too graphic and bloody, but I think that comes from personal taste on my part.
Despite these setbacks, the film isn’t completely terrible.
I really enjoyed the historical accuracy and tone, as it looked like they captured what the Civil War and times after that was like perfectly. I also enjoyed the incorporation of the Bible, as well as the positive messages involving Jesus. Heck, they even went so far as to mention his name, which is awesome, because not very many films do that anymore.
What really stood out to me the most though, was Matthew McConaughey and his performance as Newton Knight. Out of all the actors, McConaughey was the one who stood tall. Every moment with him was incredible, and his character also gave off such perfect development. It takes a great actor to be able to stand tall amongst a film’s muddled script and direction, and without McConaughey, this film would never have been worth something.
In the end, the film isn’t the best, but the historical accuracy and tone, as well as McConaughey’s performance, stand tall among others.
So, I rate “Free State of Jones” 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
