Ron Howard adapts J.D. Vance’s memoir ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ in his latest film. It boasts a cast including Amy Adams (Enchanted, Arrival), Frieda Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Glenn Close. It focuses on a boy from Kentucky who struggles to let go of his family history and hometown. The film considers how one can decide how where you come from and who your family is can define and affect your life.
The structure moves well between J.D.’s rocky childhood and turbulent present. Adams does an incredible job as J.D.’s mother, a drug addict, and highlights the way that child abuse is perceived from a child’s perspective. It follows J.D. as he navigates the higher society of Yale Law School in a fish out of water narrative, but it doesn’t really hit as hard as it wants to.
The culture is an interesting subject to look at, particularly with the current state of the USA, and for non-Americans it is a deeper look into what it means to be a ‘hillbilly’. However, with so much bigger issues going on, it is hard to sympathise. The family relations are something that almost anyone can find understanding in, Glenn Close reminds us that she is one of the greatest actresses of her generation, but overall, there is nothing award-winning about this film.
‘Hillbilly Elegy’ is available to stream on Netflix.
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