News to the World

Released 10th February 2021, News to the World follows Civil War veteran, now news-reader, Captain Jefferson as he delivers a young girl to her family. The film remains entirely immersed in its Frontier Texas setting; from Southern disdain to the North to in-state isolationism, the audience are able to align their selves to the ideologies of the time. One thing which is frequently illustrated to bring people together is stories; being a news-teller, Jefferson is frequently shown to be communicating the news stories to the masses of people he meets along the way. We are enabled to realise the power of a community united by the art of storytelling; not dissimilar to visiting the theatre.

Captain Jefferson is brought to life by Hollywood’s favourite wiseman; Tom Hanks. Hanks emanates a calming, respectful atmosphere to both Johanna, the little girl, and the audience. Helena Zengel is also really enthralling with her performance of Johanna; she is particularly emotive when she needs to be yet blunted when required. One of the most compelling parts of the narrative between these two is that Johanna only speaks German. This enables natural complications when the two pair with one another whilst also granting an opportunity for wholesome scenes of the two understanding each other more and more. Everyone else in the supporting cast are also superb; albeit that no-one remains in the narrative for extended periods of time.

Each character is able to convey different ways of living on the Old Frontier; they vary from entirely lawless to authoritarian as you meet them all. If anything, some scenes (notably in the third act) could have been cut to maintain the natural flow of the narrative. James Newton Howard’s soundtrack makes good use of the Western aesthetic in his sound scaping; with that said, the soundtrack is not overtly memorable. Overall News to the World is a solid film with a strong variety of Frontier perspective; albeit too much so at times.