As a Texas native who grew up in Waco and has seen my fair share of heartland spirit, I find J.D. Vance’s story resonates deeply with me. His portrayal of working-class white Americans, particularly those of Scots-Irish descent, strikes a chord that Hollywood often misses. These folks aren’t the hillbilly stereotypes we see in movies; they’re my neighbors, friends, and family.
On the first day of the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump revealed JD Vance as his vice presidential nominee. Almost immediately after this announcement, the Netflix charts saw a significant surge in viewings for “Hillbilly Elegy,” the four-year-old film based on Vance’s memoir and directed by Ron Howard.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve come across numerous movies that showcase the journey of young individuals with limited government experience ascending to prominent roles. For many Americans, this upcoming political drama based on J.D. Vance’s memoir will serve as their introduction to him. In both the book and its mediocre Netflix adaptation, Vance portrayed himself as a resilient kid from Appalachia with humble origins who managed to break free from the Rust Belt’s grip and secure an Ivy League education and a prosperous career.
Ron Howard and Brian Grazer were drawn to that aspect of Vance’s tale. As self-proclaimed liberals, they might have unwittingly provided legitimacy to his origin story, much like how “The Apprentice” producer Mark Burnett did for Trump by offering him a reality TV platform in 2004.
Hollywood has a soft spot for rags-to-riches tales, and Vance’s background as a struggling kid aligns perfectly with Howard and Grazer’s preferences. By producing the film in a similar vein to “Cinderella Man” and “American Gangster,” Imagine Entertainment transformed Vance’s story into a myth that helped secure his election to the U.S. Senate in 2022, despite overlooking the true essence of “Hillbilly Elegy.” In the book, Vance shared his personal story – a childhood contrasting greatly with Trump’s – to bridge the gap between Middle America and the coastal elite audience.
Surprisingly, over the past eight years following the release of his book, Vance himself has become part of the elite circle he once wrote about. His accomplishments, such as leaving Middletown, Ohio, and obtaining a law degree from Yale, have proven his credibility as an author. Yet, his subsequent ventures include managing a venture capital fund financed by Peter Thiel, who also supported his Senate campaign, as well as frequent appearances on cable news and commentating for CNN.
During the 2016 interview on “Fresh Air,” Vance hadn’t joined politics nor supported Trump. He openly criticized Trump, expressing his disapproval towards him on NPR. “I find Trump unpalatable,” he shared with Teri Gross, adding, “He’s guiding the white working class down a dangerous path.” When asked about his voting preference, Vance quipped, “I might have to grit my teeth and vote for Hillary Clinton.”
Before Clinton labeled half of Trump supporters as “deplorables,” was Vance still uncomfortable with campaigning alongside Trump? Now, does he continue to hold reservations, or like Pence before him, is he prepared to set aside some of his beliefs in order to shape Trump’s policies?
Instead of most campaign books before someone’s political run, like Barack Obama’s “The Audacity of Hope” (2007) or Kamala Harris’ “The Truths We Hold” (2019), J.D. Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” wasn’t intended for supporters of his political views. Instead, it provided insight to liberals on why Trump was gaining support in the fall, leading to an influx of journalists trying to understand these communities and the unexpected shift in national politics.
Trump, known for his fame in the media, positioned himself as an underdog against a political establishment that had let down many Americans. He focused on concerns that were being overlooked by career politicians from both parties: poverty, opioid addiction, limited educational opportunities, and entire communities devastated by economic collapse, resulting in job loss and stagnant housing markets. Vance highlighted these issues to introduce readers to Trump’s eventual support base.
I found Vance’s book to be a vivid and articulate portrayal of my upbringing in communities where liberal policies hadn’t brought about meaningful change. His perspective on the food stamp system resonated with me and many honest, hard-working people I know. The term “memoir” didn’t quite capture it; instead, “Hillbilly Elegy” read more like a sociological analysis. Vance consistently argued that a significant portion of white working-class Americans have felt disenfranchised for decades. Some may find this controversial, but the idea of “Make America Great Again” strikes a chord with voters who are primarily concerned with their own daily lives and struggles, rather than the concerns of others – be they Black Americans, immigrants, or welfare recipients.
In Vance’s perspective, “I might be Caucasian, but I don’t align with the WASPs from the Northeastern part of the country. Instead, I connect with the vast number of working-class white Americans with a Scottish-Irish heritage and no college education. For them, living in poverty is an inherited way of life. Society labels them as hillbillies, rednecks, or white trash. I, however, view them as my acquaintances, companions, and relatives.”
In a surprising turn, Hollywood often holds a skewed perspective towards the individuals portrayed in Vance’s book. This is intriguing given that many industry professionals hail from similar backgrounds. The film adaptation of “Hillbilly Elegy” falls under the broader category of heartwarming Southern coming-of-age tales, blending elements of “Mommie Dearest” and “The Andy Griffith Show.” Notably, a renowned actress like Amy Adams brings to life Vance’s rarely seen mother in an unsettling portrayal.
Growing up in Texas, I’ve seen firsthand the resilient and determined spirit of people in the Heartland. And let me tell you, many faith-based films do a much better job of capturing this authentic attitude than what we often see on screen. Instead, we’re presented with scenes that don’t ring true, like the one where Close brandishes a shotgun and threatens, “If you got a problem with that, you can talk to the barrel of my gun!”
In the same year as “Hillbilly Elegy” came out, Nicole Riegel’s indie film “Holler,” produced by a left-leaning director, presented a more genuine take on a similar story about a determined teen from a defunct steel town who managed to accumulate enough funds for college. Elaine McMillion Sheldon’s self-distributed documentary “King Coal,” released in 2023, explores the intricate past of coal mining in Appalachia and its ongoing impact.
Almost all these portrayals share the belief that poverty and lack of education can be as debilitating as quicksand, keeping numerous Americans stuck in their situations. In films, places similar to Vance’s Ohio hometown are often depicted as places to flee from. The stories usually conclude with the protagonist successfully escaping. However, what about those who remain behind (the Trump supporters)? And what transpires next?
Vance wrote about his experience feeling like a misfit at Yale in his book. Rather than connecting with the “elites,” as critics often label them, Vance managed to graduate and later reverted back to his familiar values, even if not physically.
In an interview with EbMaster in 2022, Howard expressed his surprise over Vance’s shift towards Trumpism. According to Howard, he previously saw Vance as a moderate, center-right individual who had no intention of pursuing political office.
It’s clear that both the situation and Vance’s political stance have evolved since 2016. At that time, Trump’s lack of political experience allowed Middletown residents to form their own interpretations of him as a candidate. However, with Trump’s policies now well-known, Vance has decided to publicly support him. This decision proved successful for Vance, earning him the title of “ultimate celebrity apprentice.”
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2024-07-17 00:33