Free State of Jones

Message films are becoming more and more plentiful each year as the need for them arises. 2013 was a banner year for the message film, ("The Butler", "12 Years a Slave", even "Dallas Buyers Club"). We, as a society, constantly need to be reminded how dysfunctional we are and how much we need to reach out to others, so Hollywood gave us "Free State of Jones".

Set during the years of the Civil War between 1862 to 1876, this chronicles the story of defiant Southern farmer, Newt Knight (Matthew McConaughey) and his extraordinary armed rebellion including Moses (Mahershala Ali), Jasper (Christopher Berry), Will (Sean Bridgers) and Rachel (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) against the Confederacy. Banding together with other small farmers and local slaves, Knight launched an uprising that led Jones County, Mississippi to secede from the Confederacy, creating a Free State of Jones. Knight continued his struggle into Reconstruction, distinguishing him as a compelling, if controversial, figure of defiance long beyond the War.

Others to round out the cast are Kerri Russell as Serena, Jacob Lofland as Daniel, Thomas Francis Murphy as Col. Elias Hood, Bill Tangradi as Lt. Barbour, Brian Lee Franklin as Davis Knight, Kerry Cahill as Mary, Joe Chrest as James Eakins, Jessica Collins as Annie and Donald Watkins as Wilson.

This was finely directed by the message film king, Gary Ross ("Pleasantville" '98, "Seabiscuit" '03, "The Hunger Games" '12) plus a good deal of writing and producing. He doesn't direct a lot of films, however what he helms is chosen extremely carefully. Although this attitude doesn't get one into that director's seat numerously, but it surely allows a filmmaker to do what they do best--to hopefully showcase a great story with incredible acting. It was also brilliantly written by Ross ("Big" '88, "Dave" '93, "Pleasantville" '98) plus others. It was based on a story by Leonard Hartman based on the incredible true story. This story incorporates a paralleling story 85 years past the setting of this film simply to make a point that we haven't come that far as being a people that are enlightened much more in the 50's as back in the 1800's. The only thing about incorporating this parallel story was that I felt it could've been inserted a little more slickly than it was, otherwise this script was amazing. And what can I say for McConaughey? He may very well be looking for an Oscar nod come that time. This actor has seized to amaze me with the films he has finally decided to endeavor. I always felt that he had potential as a fine actor, especially when I saw him in the film "A Time to Kill" based on the novel by John Grisham--again a message film. It was just getting that subsequent film in his career--that being "Mud" to prove he is the actor we all knew he was.

This isn't a popcorn film where you can simply sit back and escape into. However, if you are willing to let yourself learn something about mankind and possibly change either your or someone else's way of thinking through this film, it will definitely be worth the price of admission.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                  Rated: R                                  139mins.