Dove Review

Dove Review:

Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) can’t forgive himself for a car crash that changed his family forever. Guided by pent-up anger and financial struggles, he catches a greedy, gnarly fishing company’s gear on fire and steals a boat to hide out on the local North Carolina river.

Five minutes into his heist, Tyler discovers Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a down syndrome man who escaped a local assisted living facility and stashed out on the boat in hopes of hunting down his favorite wrestler: The Saltwater Redneck. Tyler knows that his safest escape from the law is in Florida, and his map reveals that The Saltwater Redneck’s wrestling school is only a pitstop on his escape trip, so Tyler agrees to let Zak tag along.

Rather than highlight the differences in a character with Down syndrome, The Peanut Butter Falcon unveils the similarities between Zak and runaway Tyler. Regardless of genetic mishaps or an ugly past, this film reminds us that everyone deserves a second chance to be a hero. Meanwhile, Tyler discovers redemption and Zak finds a true friend.

Though this film plays key themes of forgiveness, friendship and acceptance, brawling violence and heavy language consequentially earn The Peanut Butter Falcon the Dove-Approved Seal for Ages 18+.

The Dove Take:

While The Peanut Butter Falcon includes some roughhousing and even rougher language, this story reminds us that our differences aren’t so different and that all of us need love and forgiveness.

Dove Rating Details

2

Faith

Bluegrass gospel hymns offer background music throughout film; a blind, wild-haired preacher baptizes Zak and Tyler to bless their adventure and prays, “Let all the wolves of your past be laid to rest!”

4

Integrity

Several bloody fist-fighting scenes with one that includes spitting; Tyler holds a knife to Zak’s throat when they first meet. Tyler is hit with a crowbar. Tyler punches a mean kid. There are roughly three scenes that include guns/rifles, but no one is ever shot.

2

Sex

Tyler and Eleanor share a kiss; cheetah-print handcuffs are seen on a rearview mirror.

5

Language

GD-4, JC-2, F- 3, S-33, A-12, D-5, H-6, B-3, “Holy s”-1, “Oh my g”-3, “swear to God”-2, “sucks”- 1, “screwed”-1, “friggin”-1, crude reference to female genitalia-1, Zak called “retard” throughout film

3

Violence

Several bloody fist-fighting scenes with one that includes spitting; Tyler holds a knife to Zak’s throat when they first meet. Tyler is hit with a crowbar. Tyler punches a mean kid. There are roughly three scenes that include guns/rifles, but no one is ever shot.

2

Drugs

Several beer scenes throughout film; Zak gets drunk from home-brewed moonshine one night. Several characters consistently smoke throughout film

2

Nudity

When Zak escapes the assisted-living center, he is only in his underwear. Tyler is shirtless in multiple scenes. Eleanor jumps into the water in a t-shirt and underwear. Tyler’s back end is seen when he is using the restroom.

2