J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy Is Worse than Just Oscar Bait Now

J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy Is Worse than Just Oscar Bait Now

Quick Links

  • Who is J.D. Vance?
  • A Failed Attempt at Oscar Glory
  • Vance’s Vice-Presidential Nomination Promises More of the Same

As someone who grew up in a small Midwestern town, I can relate to the struggles and complexities portrayed in J.D. Vance’s memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.” The story of his coming-of-age amidst the tumultuous changes within his family resonates deeply with me. However, watching the film adaptation left me feeling disappointed and disconnected.


According to the memoir penned by the newly anointed U.S. Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance, titled “Hillbilly Elegy,” the movie adaptation has been one of the most disappointing cinematic releases over the last five years. Ron Howard helmed the production, which boasted a high-profile cast and received critical acclaim beforehand. However, both critics and audiences found it lacking in substance, despite earning two Oscar nominations – for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Glenn Close). Ultimately, the film came up empty-handed at the awards ceremony and was quickly forgotten.

With Vance being nominated as Trump’s running mate for the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, both he and “Hillbilly Elegy” are facing increased scrutiny as his public image improves. Now that the movie is accessible on Netflix, a thorough examination of how “Hillbilly Elegy,” which has been criticized for its insensitive portrayal, becomes even more questionable is imminent. It’s one thing to use awards recognition as bait, but exploiting political connections takes it to a new level.

Who is J.D. Vance?

J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy Is Worse than Just Oscar Bait Now

J.D. Vance, born in Ohio in 1984, now serves as the junior U.S. Senator from his native state. After completing a four-year tenure in the Marines, Vance earned degrees from Ohio State University (2009) and Yale Law School (2013). In 2016, his poignant memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” was released, detailing his upbringing in rural Ohio and the challenges he encountered upon joining prestigious academic institutions. In 2020, this compelling narrative came to life on the big screen through the direction of renowned filmmaker Ron Howard.

Despite criticizing Donald Trump severely during his time in Washington D.C., Vance was chosen as Trump’s Republican vice presidential running mate in July 2024. Following this announcement, “Hillbilly Elegy” experienced a surge in popularity on Netflix and Amazon, shedding light on Vance’s upbringing and conservative ideology. Initially hailed as an awards-worthy film, the movie was met with harsh criticism from both critics and audiences. However, it has recently attracted more attention in public discourse, despite its ongoing controversies.

What Is Hillbilly Elegy About?

J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy Is Worse than Just Oscar Bait Now

In Middletown, Ohio during the year 1997, the book “Hillbilly Elegy” delves into the domestic sphere, touching upon class and cultural challenges in Appalachia. The narrative is presented from J.D. Vance’s perspective (portrayed as Tierney Smith young and Gabriel Basso old). J.D.’s story unfolds as he navigates his upbringing amidst his troubled mother, Beverly (played by Amy Adams), and his grandparents, Mamaw (Close) and Papaw (Bo Hopkins), who hail from Kentucky. Together with his elder sister Lindsay (Haley Bennett), J.D. confronts the evolving family traditions and societal norms of the Midwest.

As a gamer, I find myself in the shoes of J.D., a guy who’s been dealing with a lot of family upheaval. I can’t help but reflect on the stark contrasts between my grandparents, mom, sister, and me. It’s a complex web of generational differences that I’m trying to navigate.

The movie skips forward 25 years to show the transformation of the Vance family, including how J.D.’s connection to their values weakened during his time at Yale Law School. In this period, J.D. encounters and weds a lawyer named Usha (played by Freida Pinto). Eventually, he moves back to Ohio to be close to his mom and sister, with Bev managing to stay sober for six consecutive years.

A Failed Attempt at Oscar Glory

J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy Is Worse than Just Oscar Bait Now

Despite having a highly accomplished cast and crew, “Hillbilly Elegy” faced harsh criticism from critics upon its release in 2020. The general consensus is that the film’s attempts at grand Hollywood storytelling came off as insincere and desperate for awards recognition. With a dismal 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 38 Metascore, most criticism was directed towards Ronan Farrow’s ineffective storytelling and self-aggrandizing portrayal.

According to the critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes:

In the guise of a potential contender for awards, yet possessing the essence of a run-of-the-mill drama, Hillbilly Elegy leaves some exceptional performers high and dry in the less complex depths of the American South.

As a big fan of “Hillbilly Elegy,” I have to admit that some critics have raised concerns about the film’s over-the-top performances and Ron Howard’s direction. Despite his multiple Oscar nominations, these elements didn’t quite meet the high expectations set by the movie’s prominent promotion.

Instead of focusing so much on grandiose spectacle like in Hollywood films, Hillbilly Elegy could have been something more meaningful if it had prioritized simplicity.

Echoing the sentiment, Variety’s Owen Glieberman stated:

As long as Close delivers an outstanding, award-worthy portrayal (her acting is incredibly detailed), the film “Hillbilly Elegy” remains engaging. Adams gives a noteworthy performance as well, but despite its brilliance, it fails to evoke feelings of pity and fear towards Bev in us.

More bracing yet, IndieWire’s David Ehrlich criticized Vance’s storytelling, declaring:

Observing him give up and then try to regain his success again leaves me feeling extremely dissatisfied, bordering on being unsettlingly reminiscent of sociopathic behavior.

Critics have been more vocal about the inaccurate representation of Vance’s perspective towards Southern poverty in this Oscar-nominated film. The A.V. Club referred to it as “poverty porn,” perpetuating harmful stereotypes instead of shedding light on the issue. Their review title urges an end to the Trump administration’s portrayal of the working class, imploring “May Hillbilly Elegy Signal the End of Trump-Era Myth-making about the White Working Class.”

The last word goes to The Wrap’s Alonso Duralde, who wrote:

“The book Hillbilly Elegy focuses less on the underlying causes of poverty, addiction, and ignorance, instead implying that an individual’s success is a testament to their personal efforts, disregarding the challenges faced by others in similar circumstances.”

Vance’s Vice-Presidential Nomination Promises More of the Same

J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy Is Worse than Just Oscar Bait Now

As someone who has closely followed the political landscape over the past few years, I believe that J.D. Vance’s recent nomination as Donald Trump’s potential Vice Presidential running mate in the 2024 election marks a significant moment in the ongoing narrative surrounding the white working class in America.

Although the Amy Adams film based on his memoir was criticized for being dishonest, Vance has since changed his tune. He now appears to be retracting the sincere beliefs he previously shared in public. Despite accepting Donald Trump’s nomination to be his running mate, Vance has made derogatory remarks about Trump in the past. According to Reuters, Trump once privately compared himself to Adolf Hitler. In contrast, Vance has publicly labeled Trump as “reprehensible” and an “idiot.”

Back in 2016, I, as an avid gamer and observer of politics, made it clear that Trump wasn’t fit for the nation’s top job. I went as far as labeling him “cultural heroin” and proudly declared myself a “Never-Trump guy.” My strongest criticism came when I warned The Guardian that Trump was not only noxious but also leading the white working class towards a very ominous future.

Vance was selected by Trump to be his running mate for the Republican Party in 2024, despite the numerous criticisms leveled against Trump. When questioned about his change of heart since 2016, Vance acknowledged that he had underestimated Trump. However, it’s important to note that Vance was chosen by Trump to promote a neo-conservative agenda on issues such as women’s reproductive rights, immigration, healthcare, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and other regressive policies intended to roll back progress and push America backward.

Hillbilly Elegy is available now on Netflix.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-07-21 04:32