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★★★★☆
12 July 2018
A movie review of DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT. |
“My story is not really tragic, unless you count boredom as tragedy,” John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix)
When a biopic makes you want to seek out the work of its subject, you know it has at least partly done its job. I was not familiar with cartoonist John Callahan, but that droll voice over opening quote above boded well. And the film did not disappoint. DON’T WORRY is sad and emotional, yet also very funny – mirroring the wit of the lead. We see a cartoon of a guy with a ginormous derriere, the doctor performing a colonoscopy, and declaring, “You’re not going to believe this, Mr Smith… But they’ve opened a new Starbucks up your ass!!” It is both puerile and social commentary.
When a biopic makes you want to seek out the work of its subject, you know it has at least partly done its job. I was not familiar with cartoonist John Callahan, but that droll voice over opening quote above boded well. And the film did not disappoint. DON’T WORRY is sad and emotional, yet also very funny – mirroring the wit of the lead. We see a cartoon of a guy with a ginormous derriere, the doctor performing a colonoscopy, and declaring, “You’re not going to believe this, Mr Smith… But they’ve opened a new Starbucks up your ass!!” It is both puerile and social commentary.
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DON’T WORRY does not shy away from the indignities and repercussions of addiction. Callahan had been drinking since he was 13-years old. The audience sees him giving a speech, and the movie cuts back and forth in time. That is one of the most effective ways cinema can talk about someone’s life. When we tell a story to our pals, it is not linear. There are constant asides to bring them up to speed. DON’T WORRY does not do the birth to death thing either, thankfully. Two hours is not enough time.
We find out how John Callahan ended up in a wheelchair, and how he unearthed his calling. The wait for the accident is especially tense, as I did not know the amount of collateral damage. People are often callous towards addicts, but addiction comes in a myriad of forms, from shopping to work to watching television show boxsets. Surely it is a sign of wanting to escape, or numbing? Instead of locking people up, we should see it as a social and psychological affliction that needs to be assuaged. For those without compassion (i.e. right wing voters), hopefully DON’T WORRY will aid you in some empathy.
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While Joaquin Phoenix is always reliable, and anchors the film with aplomb, he is ably supported by a plethora of name cast. From the ace Rooney Mara to singer Beth Ditto and character actor weirdo extraordinaire Udo Kier, there is plenty of charisma on screen. Even Jack Black delivers a powerful scene of contrition that will give you a lump in the throat. In particular, Jonah Hill could be looking at another Oscar nomination as the charming founder of a support group. His Donnie is a mentor to Callahan, a Zen Obi-Wan, helping him find peace.
DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT is a joyous bitter-sweet hippy journey. Director Gus Van Sant returns to MILK form (though it's not quite in the same league as AMERICAN SPLENDOR, but then what is?).
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