Carl Friedrichs

If you want your movies squeaky clean and G rated, then maybe this movie is not for you. If you can see humanity in a different kind of child, a man looking for a second chance, or a mother struggling with addiction; maybe those people don’t look or act like you, but maybe they do, in either case, this movie will pull at your heartstrings. I had passed on this movie several times until I made the connection with Nathaniel Rateliff‘s plaintive song, “Redemption“, which anchors the ending. Because of the song I took a chance to watch this movie. Thanks Nathaniel! Ryder Allen plays a young boy who is different. If there was an Oscar category for child actors, this performance would be worthy of a nomination, if not a win. Justin Timberlake turns in a taught performance as an ex-con trying to adjust to life outside after years in prison for a violent crime. The supporting cast members, June Squibb, Alisha Wainwright, and Juno Temple bring it home, each playing their parts with deep feeling. Apple TV is becoming my favorite content producer with beautifully crafted movies and shows. The content is less voluminous and more exclusive. Each production I’ve seen has been acted, written, and directed beautifully. If I was in show business, this is where I would want to be.