‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Director Ron Howard Is ‘Concerned’ About Trump-Vance Rhetoric: ‘We Gotta Get Out and Vote — for Whomever, but Be Thoughtful’

As a film enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of cinema and its ability to reflect society’s complexities. Ron Howard, a director whose work I admire deeply, recently emphasized the importance of exercising our right to vote during this critical election. His sentiments resonate with me, as I firmly believe that every voice matters in shaping our future.


Ron Howard, who is known for directing films such as “Hillbilly Elegy” and “A Beautiful Mind,” emphasized the significance of utilizing the right to vote during the upcoming November presidential election to EbMaster.

As a passionate cinephile, I recently had the pleasure of visiting EbMaster’s Toronto Film Festival Studio, where I got to mingle with the talented cast and crew of the upcoming film “Eden.” Among the stars present were Sydney Sweeney, Jude Law, Ana de Armas, and Daniel Brühl. During our chat, I was intrigued to discuss my past endeavor of adapting JD Vance’s memoir “Hillbilly Elegy” into the 2020 film featuring Amy Adams and Glenn Close. Intriguingly, I was asked about my thoughts on Vance’s political rise since I adapted his story several years ago.

Howard expressed his shock and worry about the statements being made by the current campaign. He firmly stated that he would never vote for Donald Trump as President again, regardless of who the Vice President was. However, considering his past experiences, he admitted to being taken aback. It’s crucial, he emphasized, for everyone to cast their votes, no matter who they choose. But remember, pay attention to what the candidates are saying now, that’s what truly matters – understand who they are today. Then, make a well-informed decision.

The movie premiered on Netflix in November 2020, and while the news about Vance becoming Trump’s running mate boosted its viewership on Netflix, it faced a barrage of unfavorable critiques. EbMaster commented that Gabriel Basso’s portrayal of Vance was so endearingly appealing that the character’s fate didn’t appear to be in peril.

It continued: “His people may be haunted by the demons of Appalachia, but he comes off as a yuppie whose life has boiled down to: Will those demons stand in the way of my career path? Not if he won’t let them they won’t. That isn’t quite drama — it’s feel-good therapy.”

In the meantime, Howard’s movie “Eden,” set at the Galapagos, portrays a band of Europeans settling on an uncharted island. Seeking paradise in the untouched and secluded, they discover that what they had imagined as paradise is actually the struggle with other human beings. As penned by Noah Pink, this film delves into the “perils of idealistic arrogance,” according to the TIFF program guide.

Although the movie is set to debut at TIFF on September 7th, the exact date for its public release is still undecided.

EbMaster’s Toronto Film Festival Studio is sponsored by J Crew and SharkNinja.

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2024-09-07 20:50