As a film enthusiast who’s spent countless hours navigating the vast and often treacherous waters of cinematic storytelling, I can confidently say that “Finestkind” is a shipwreck waiting to happen. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are moments of brilliance in this movie – Ben Foster’s performance alone is worth the price of admission. But the plot, my dear friends, is as confusing as a labyrinth made by a drunken sailor.
In the realm of Paramount+, I had the pleasure of following the gripping crime thriller titled “Finestkind,” penned by Brian Helgeland. Upon its debut in December 2023, this movie sparked a divide among audiences and critics alike. The talented Jenna Ortega graces our screens as Mabel, a small-time drug dealer who crosses paths with stranded fishermen and creates tension between estranged half-brothers Tom (portrayed by Ben Foster) and Charlie (Toby Wallace).
Despite receiving more positive responses from regular viewers and casual moviegoers, both groups share criticisms about the film’s divisive aspects. Fans of Ortega who are unsure whether to watch Finestkind should anticipate strong performances and a heartfelt family story, but be aware that it is buried under layers of puzzling melodrama and inconsistent tones.
‘Finestkind’ Sets Up a Great Story
In a different turn of phrase, Brian Helgeland (known for movies like ‘A Knight’s Tale’ and ’42’) wrote and directed the American crime thriller ‘Finestkind’. This story revolves around two estranged brothers, Charlie Elridge, who feels trapped in his mundane existence, and Tom Elridge, a scallop fisher. To break free from his monotonous life, Charlie asks Tom for help, which leads to an exciting sea voyage. Tom consents, introducing Charlie to his crew comprising Costa, Nunes, and Skeemo. However, shortly into their journey, the boat ‘Harmony’, captained by Tom, encounters trouble and sinks, leaving the five of them no choice but to swim to safety.
After making it through their ordeal, the five men rejoice at a local Massachusetts tavern, where Charlie encounters drug dealer Mabel. Charlie’s dad, Gary (Tim Daly), advises against more fishing trips for his son. On the other hand, Tom’s father, Ray (the esteemed Tommy Lee Jones), motivates him to take charge of a drilling venture on his boat, Finestkind. When Tom loses his job, he opts to team up with Ray, while Charlie embarks on a passionate relationship with Mabel.
In the movie, as it builds up to an intense brotherly feud instigated by Mabel, there’s a sudden shift in plot when Tom and Charlie discover Ray is terminally ill with stomach cancer. This emotional twist causes the narrative to veer off course, with the storyline now focusing intensely on Tom’s relentless effort to keep the boat, Finestkind, in his father’s possession before he passes away. To raise the required $200,000 for the boat, Mabel orchestrates a dangerous heroin-smuggling operation that adds more complexity and darkness to the movie’s overall tone.
Critics Hated the Tonal Shift
In 2023, despite Helgeland’s reputation and a stellar cast, the film Finestkind was met with unfavorable reviews from most critics. The movie received a 29% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 44 Metascore, indicating that the majority of critics found Helgeland’s slow-paced direction and unclear narrative more perplexing than entertaining. Critics acknowledge occasional glimpses of brilliance, but these moments fail to connect or leave a lasting impact.
According to The Hollywood Reporter’s 5/10 score review, critic Michael Rechtshaffen notes:
While I found the solid portrayals of Ben Foster and newcomer Toby Wallace as estranged half-brothers searching for unity amidst their contrasting backgrounds truly captivating, Helgeland’s movie seemed somehow rooted in a different era.
In a similar vein, as a movie enthusiast, I found myself grappling with the labyrinthine plot, much like Robert Daniels from IndieWire. To put it bluntly, this cinematic venture felt more like a tangled web of senseless storylines and subpar acting. It was almost as if Roger Ebert’s timeless wisdom echoed in my mind: No masterpiece is overlong, and no flop is too brief.
In regards to Roger Ebert, Nell Minow’s critique on the website mentions that the narrative of “Finestkind” becomes somewhat scattered, as she points out.
“Helgeland wants us to be caught up in the story of the brothers getting more and more mired in the consequences of their bad choices, but the most genuine relationship in the film is in a brief scene with the exes played by Jones and Davidovich. By the time Charlie and Mabel are discussing Moby Dick while having sex, the ship has really run aground.”
In his review for The Playlist, Rodrigo Perez acknowledges the illogical plot developments that strain credulity in the film “Finestkind.” Despite criticizing the weak plot, writing clichés, and over-the-top genre twists, Perez finds value in the filmmaker’s ability to depict the environment and characters of these communities convincingly. While this may not be enough to save the movie, it does offer a glimmer of merit according to Perez. It seems that the positive aspect Perez mentions was more favorably received by audiences, although “Finestkind” continues to divide opinion among them as well.
Audience Responses Vary Drastically
The movie titled “Finestkind” has a 6.1 IMDb rating and a matching 61% Popcorn Meter score, which signifies a significantly greater positive audience reaction. However, when delving into the reactions of the audience, it becomes apparent that this film is more polarizing than among critics. In fact, on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcorn Meter page, reviews range from 1 to 5 stars, with some providing hearty endorsements and others finding it challenging to even complete the movie.
As Ray M notes in their 5-star review:
This movie often gets overlooked but it’s truly exceptional. The characters are richly developed and complex, particularly the dynamic between father and son which beautifully portrays an unshakeable connection. Tommy Lee Jones gives a standout performance, as does the entire cast. Ben Jones breathes life into a character wrestling with moral dilemmas – trying to do what’s right while saving his father’s dreams. Don’t miss out on this one, it’s definitely worth watching!
Further supporting the movie is David F, who calls Finestkind:
Simply exceptional. This family portrait showcases patience, love, and self-sacrifice triumphing in the end. The message to follow your dreams is heartwarming, and the execution of selflessness is spot on. To those who didn’t shed a tear at the finale, I recommend revisiting Terms of Endearment. I found the characters and resolutions engaging, and it managed to stir strong emotions.
Not All Viewers Loved It…
Though both critics and viewers praise Ben Foster’s outstanding acting in the film, some later commentators found issues with the film’s confusing plot. As highlighted by Liza M in her 1.5-star review, the movie itself is criticized for its complexity.
The movie seemed like it was telling two separate stories instead of one coherent plot. The initial half bore no resemblance to the latter, and the performances by talented actors like Jenna Ortega felt misused due to sudden character shifts.
Proving the film’s polarizing nature is Christopher L, whose 3-star review states:
The film was watchable, but it felt like sailing a boat through gaps in its storyline. Questions like ‘What became of the thieves?’ or ‘Who framed them?’ were left unanswered, and unfortunately, not in a satisfying manner.
In essence, although the movie “Finestkind” boasted a compelling concept and Foster’s captivating performance, many viewers and critics felt that director Helgeland struggled to maintain the narrative coherence. The end product was often uneven, even bordering on dull, with few positive aspects highlighting the bond between Tom and Charlie. While general audiences showed some leniency, both groups identified several significant issues. Ultimately, these flaws left “Finestkind” struggling to find its footing, and it failed to resonate strongly. However, you can still stream “Finestkind” on Paramount+.
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2024-12-22 23:02