Critics are starting to become relics of a time long past. It’s as though in order for a movie to be considered ‘good’, it must now have a plot line that is based on some cause for social justice or that is in conjunction with specific popular political leanings. Hillbilly Elegy is the latest example of Hollywood and the mainstream media examining a movie through the lens of their own personal bias, as opposed to judging it on its merits as a picture. Based on the memoirs of J.D. Vance, Hillbilly Elegy a story that contrary to popular opinion, is actually very true to life.
Hillbilly Elegy a story that contrary to popular opinion, is actually very true to life.
J.D. Vance had every excuse in the book to be considered nothing more than a product of his environment. Instead, he rose out of poverty and his harsh upbringing, and made something of himself. This is the basis of his memoir turned movie Hillbilly Elegy. It documents the early stages of his home life whilst simultaneously showing his life during college before he’s called home to deal with his mother’s hospitalization. Ron Howard directs J.D.’s tell all experience that will hit home for many, be misinterpreted by others, and that critics just don’t seem to fully comprehend.
First of all, the quality of a movie is always up to personal subjectivity. With that in mind, it’s important to know this: despite what the media would have everyone else believe, this is not a bad movie. The cinematography is capably accomplished, Howard directs the project with his usual dexterity, and the acting by all of the principle performers is well beyond the expected degree necessary for legitimacy. Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso, and Owen Asztalos all turn up for intense, moving performances. None of that is the issue here though. It’s plain to see why critics aren’t thrilled with this. It’s because they don’t get it. They lack the understanding of what it’s like to grow up in these areas, around these people, and in these circumstances. The idea that ‘white people’ could possibly have it as hard as minorities or protected classes escapes the thinking of the pretentious socialites that make up Hollywood and the political elite. The sheer fact that the movie isn’t representative of a protected class is enough for pundits to immediately dismiss it.
Rest assured, this type of story is a reality for thousands of people who live in rural America. This movie is for them, and its content was never designated for those who live outside the bounds of these conditions. Hillbilly Elegy is a corroboration of the idea that anyone and everyone can have a struggle but that adversity and hardships shouldn’t be something that is compared or contrasted with, as it’s not a competition. This is ideally something that viewers will take away from seeing it. It’s on Netflix, and though in retrospect a case has been made here, it’s important that others see it for themselves to make a decision on how they feel about it.
