Justin Timberlake’s success as an artist and music superstar sometimes makes us forget that he showed promise as an increasingly natural screen actor. In films of Alpha dog for The social network and working with directors, including Woody Allen and the Coen brothers, and even a charming narration on animated hits like Trolls films, he continued to improve his game outside the arenas and recording studios. And his last, a main role as the title character in Palmer, it’s your best yet.
Timberlake is ex-convict Eddie Palmer, a former football star in his hometown, before the problems arose after just a year of college studies and his life going the wrong way, putting him behind bars. Now looking to start over after leaving, Eddie returns to his small hometown in Louisiana and to his grandmother’s house, Vivian (June Squibb), where he meets the 7-year-old rocket Sam (Ryder Allen), a child who tends to play with dolls, wearing barrettes in their hair and professing love for their favorite Disney princesses. “Shouldn’t you be a boy?” Palmer becomes discouraged when he meets Sam, a bullied boy who is the son of Shelly (Juno Temple), a negligent mother who is further away from the trailer in Vivian’s backyard than inside him due to her own vices and wrong choices in men. including the current boyfriend (Dean Winters in an ungrateful role). So Sam is more attracted to the affectionate Vivian, as he spends most of his time there.
As the film progresses, the relationship between Eddie and Sam grows, with the former taking him under his wing, almost acting like an older brother or even a father figure. Eddie also gets a job as a school janitor, and there he meets Sam’s teacher, Miss. Maggie (Alisha Wainwright), who agrees to help care for Sam beyond the classroom, soon starting his own relationship with Eddie as well. Sure, problems will arise, especially when Shelly is back, but most of the film revolves around the unique bond between Eddie and Sam that will make you hope you both have a happy ending.
If all of this sounds like familiar territory, of course it is, but screenwriter Cheryl Guerriero’s very non-sensory script (once on the prestigious Black List) saves the day along with Fisher Stevens’ authentic direction. Stevens, an actor also known for his impressive work behind the scenes of documentaries, including the Oscar winner The Cove, it keeps everything real with a good southern flavor. This is an unpretentious and character-oriented material, small but significant and a perfect showcase for Timberlake’s acting talents, who fits the role like a glove. His chemistry with young Allen is on the screen, and the two face off naturally. I just wanted Squibb’s irresistible charms to have more screen time, as this 90-year-old star is always watchable. Temple gets a rather nasty character to play, but makes it credible in the most eye-catching turn of the film.
The producers are Charlie Corwin, Sidney Kimmel, Charles B. Wessler, John Penotti and Daniel Nadler. Apple TV + starts broadcasting this Friday. Check out my video review with scenes from the movie at the link above.
Do you plan to see Palmer? Let us know what you think.