Justin Timberlake plays man returning to his small home town after of a 12-year prison sentence. As he struggles to re-establish himself, he ends up caring for a young boy who’s gender non-conforming (Ryder Allan). Even with the expected community push back and bullying incidents, this unusual circumstance never ignites much viewer outrage. Timberlake starts out cold and stern and manages to soften as the drama develops, but Allan has the movie’s standout performance. His effortless charm and unashamed spunk make the character sympathetic and lovable. Even though there are moments of genuine emotion, the predictable plot and Fisher Steven’s restrained direction dilute the film’s maximum impact.
As I noted in my review of Our Friend, this is set in backwoods Louisiana, but nobody has a hint of an accent.
(3 / 5)