The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)

I'm a big fan of heartwarming stories and an even bigger fan of tales of redemption. I was finally able to watch "The Peanut Butter Falcon", written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, which has been at the top of my Netflix since its release. It's one of those rare films that is funny, touching, and also manages to sneak in a life lesson at the same time.

The Premise
Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome, is living in a retirement home because he has no family left to care for him. However, that hasn't dampened his dreams of becoming a professional wrestler. After breaking out of the retirement home, he meets Tyler, who is running away from problems of his own. To make matters even more complicated, the duo are being pursued by Eleanor, an employee of the retirement home, and people seeking revenge for Tyler's wrongdoings.

My Take
Having spent a good portion of my professional life working in special education and retirements homes, I have a soft spot for characters like Zak. No one should ever be abandoned or made to feel it's impossible to pursue their dreams. I was fortunate that the educators I worked with were very good at what they did and (I hope) left all the children feeling loved and encouraged. That being said, the situation Zak was left in was very sad indeed and it highlights the need for more characters like Eleanor in schools and retirement homes.

Zak was played by Zack Gottsagen. Zach was naturally brilliant in this role and a perfect choice. Of course rumor has it that the role was written for Zack, so why wouldn't he be perfect? To back him up were fellow Texan, Dakota Johnson, as Eleanor and Shia LaBeouf as Tyler. I liked Johnson as Eleanor. She played Eleanor as soft spoken, sweet, and patient. All good qualities for working in retirement homes or with people with disabilities. As the opposite, Shia LaBeouf was gruff and impatient. He treated the character Zak as if he were no different than anyone else. That's also a good quality for people to have - not to talk down, shame, or belittle those that are different. So here you are with Zak book-ended with perfect examples of people he needs in his life. The overprotective "mothering" Eleanor and a "big brother" that takes no shit to show him the world.

I spoke earlier of a story of redemption. LaBeouf's character, Tyler, is in need of a little saving when he meets Zak. Tyler is on the lam when he and Zak first meet. He agrees to takes Zak just as far as his goal - a wrestling school - but the adventures they have on the way forge a bond between the two men. The actions Tyler takes in teaching, protecting, and befriending Zak renews his spirit when he is at his lowest point.

Rounding out the cast is Thomas Haden Church as Zak's all-time favorite wrestler, Salt Water Redneck, and real wrestler Jake 'The Snake' Roberts as Sam. Also, a special shout out to Zak's roommate played by Bruce Dern. He was the perfect accomplice to Zak's great escape..

The Verdict
"The Peanut Butter Falcon" was a well executed tale. It has all the elements of a great story - comedy, suspense, heart, wonder. I began to really feel for Zak and Tyler as they made their way to the wrestling school and as it came to the climax, I was pleasantly pleased at the way it all came out. I give "The Peanut Butter Falcon" 1.. 2... 3! 3 out of 3 wrestling moves. (I would count to 10 but that just seems really long haha!)