By Robert Yaniz Jr.

Despite its potentially sensitive material, here’s a film with a message as big as its heart.

THE HYPE

Every year, a few films emerge on my radar not because of their big-name casts or franchise potential but due to their status as critical darlings. The Peanut Butter Falcon — the feature directorial debut from Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz — is one such film. Based on the creative team behind the film (and, of course, its perplexing title), moviegoers in search of a feel-good romp in the style of classic Americana would probably have no clue what they’re in for. I certainly didn’t, aside from the inclusion of notable stars like Shia LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson. Thankfully, #FilmTwitter was dead-on. The Peanut Butter Falcon is a must-see.

THE STORY

All too often, moviegoers get spoiled on upcoming major releases, thanks to inescapable marketing. The Peanut Butter Falcon may be the rare instance in which audiences can go in relatively blind. So let’s just say that the film follows a young man with Down’s syndrome named Zak (Zack Gottsagen) who dreams of being a professional wrestler. In pursuit of this goal, he encounters a number of people but strikes up an alliance of sorts with Tyler (LaBeouf), a troubled fisherman. Rather than an overly convoluted plot, the film relies on rich characters and an aesthetic that leans heavily on fables and early American literature.

THE CAST

Gottsagen is absolutely the heart of this film, delivering a raw, layered performance that serves as a moral litmus test for those surrounding him. The actor brings such a genuine spirit to the film that you can’t help but root for him from minute one. Likewise, LaBeouf — whose career has been fascinating to watch since he exited the Transformers films in 2011 — gives one of his very best turns as well. Uncompromising and weighed down by a more cynical perspective than Zak, Tyler ultimately undergoes the most remarkable arc in The Peanut Butter Falcon. Meanwhile, Dakota Johnson continues to make inspired choices following her tenure in the much-maligned Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy (see Suspiria ASAP!).

THE PRODUCTION

The cast of The Peanut Butter Falcon — which also includes John Hawkes, Bruce Dern and Thomas Haden Church — undoubtedly elevates the material. Even so, the vision that Nilson and Schwartz execute is so pitch-perfect in its sensibility and consistent in its tenor that it’s difficult not to get swept up in this beautifully quaint tale. Perhaps the element of the film that best embodies this is its soundtrack, which combines bluegrass and folk music to harken back to an old-fashioned type of storytelling. Imagine a world wherein small moments and character relationships take center stage.

THE VERDICT

Deceptively small in scope, The Peanut Butter Falcon is more than just one of the indie success story of the year (the film has already earned more than $10 million domestically, as of this writing, against a production budget of slightly over $6 million). It’s a heartfelt reminder of the strength of the human spirit, told from a perspective that is almost never represented onscreen. Amidst the remakes, sequels and other expensive franchise entries, The Peanut Butter Falcon is a welcome palate cleanser. In the overblown cinematic landscape, sometimes all you want is a simple story with its heart in the right place.

The Peanut Butter Falcon stars Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, John Hawkes, Bruce Dern, Zack Gottsagen, Jon Bernthal and Thomas Haden Church and is directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz.