Matthew McConaughey’s First Movie in 6 Years Is Bananas in the Best Way

by

Apart from a music video by Zach Bryan, Matthew McConaughey has been absent from the silver screen for six years, focusing on voiceovers while writing a memoir and considering political office. This length of absence once signified an actor’s stance towards the industry, but in the chaos of the past five years, marked by the pandemic, strikes, and the contraction of the industry due to streaming, such a pause became insignificant – even McConaughey himself joked about being busy during this period. However, if McConaughey’s choice of project for his comeback is any indication of his future direction, it’s an exciting prospect. “The Rivals of Amziah King,” premiered at SXSW, is the second film from writer-director Andrew Patterson, who made his directorial debut in 2019 with “The Vast of Night,” a sci-fi movie set in the 1950s with the structure of a Twilight Zone episode and the bold ambition of an artist unfazed by limited resources.

In the scenic backdrop of T. Jeffrey Patterson’s hometown Oklahoma, “The Rivals of Amziah King” is a multifaceted narrative that resists easy categorization. It weaves together elements of love and reunion, a vibrant portrayal of rural life, an exploration of the beekeeping industry, a tale of revenge, and lively musical interludes featuring Matthew McConaughey as Amziah King, where he strums various instruments like the mandolin, banjo, guitar, or even a kitchen table with his friends and neighbors. In the midst of a film festival that sometimes feels more like a series of corporate brand activations, “The Rivals of Amziah King” might as well be considered outsider art, though this description may underestimate Patterson’s mastery, as he was the founder of his own production company.

A more precise way to put it is that he isn’t constrained by traditional business practices regarding movie structure, genre, or style. For instance, the film starts with Amziah and his companions, Rob Morgan, Owen Teague, and Scott Shepherd, gathering at Ulysses’ Steak Sandwiches, a place doubling as their makeshift venue for the evening. They are local lads who appear almost divine in that parking lot, their actions recorded with erratic editing and still frames. Scenes of cooking beef patties, frying potato wedges, and the captivated cashier’s face are interwoven, suggesting they all contribute equally to the intense sensory experience of the night. The group performs a tune that would have been popular in the era of stomp-clap, had they known about it and were a band instead of a group of friends who enjoy playing music together.

In the story titled “The Rivals of Amziah King“, it’s packed full like a cozy armchair, yet if there’s one central theme, it’s the effort required to maintain a community’s unity. Amziah, the glue holding everything together, is a familiar McConaughey character – a powerful, chatty individual who radiates a relaxed love for life. However, he’s also advanced in years and grapples with his mortality, as evidenced by the weariness etched around his eyes due to a heart condition and exhaustion. After an unforeseen all-nighter filled with extraordinary events, Amziah appears worn out, basking in the morning sun at a diner. For a moment, you can almost see the skull beneath McConaughey’s tanned skin. Then, he notices his server, Kateri (newcomer Angelina LookingGlass, with her keen gaze and depths that run as deep as still waters), who once lived with Amziah and his ex-wife as foster children, and a smile spreads across his face, illuminating the scene.

In “The Rivals of Amziah King,” a diverse cast of characters emerge, ranging from a grumpy banjo player portrayed by Tony Revolori, a Brazilian couple residing in his backyard, and a team of employees that encompass lost souls and former convicts seeking redemption. Kateri, who shares the spotlight as a main character with Amziah, isn’t merely another addition to this mix, but a potential heir to his position, a role she ultimately earns through her actions.

The movie weaves through various humorous detours, such as a church potluck transformed into a narrative exercise and an unexpected bee crisis at a local school. However, it later unfolds into an agricultural thriller with Kurt Russell. Despite these entertaining twists, the film primarily focuses on its characters, portraying a world marked by scarcity where individuals must decide whether to exploit each other or offer assistance. The movie advocates for the latter option, albeit acknowledging that creating bonds requires effort and upkeep, making it more challenging than drifting apart. Yet, the film’s empathy is never compromised by romanticizing reality, as it remains mindful of the work required to foster connections.

Read More

2025-03-13 17:55