Palmer movie review 2021

MOVIE TITLE: PALMER

Available exclusively on AppleTV+ on January 29, 2021

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 51 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B +

IN A NUTSHELL:

Singer Justin Timberlake stars as an ex-con in this dramatic and heartwarming movie directed by Fisher Stevens. The movie was written by Cheryl Guerriero. It’s not a groundbreaking film, but it’s touching nonetheless. Your heart will break and melt at the same time as two outcasts come into each other’s lives to form an unlikely bond and family.

THINGS I LIKED:

I’ve been a fan of Justin Timberlake’s singing and acting for years. He digs deep and brings the feels to his role in this movie. His previous movies are a bit hit and miss, but this one is gaining a lot of praise.
Young Ryder Allen is stellar. I was worried that his character might become annoying, but he’s super likable and you just want him to be happy. He has great chemistry with Justin Timberlake and their relationship is very sweet. They both crave acceptance in different ways. Don’t we all just want to be accepted for who we are?
Despite taking place in the South, there are no racist moments. The prejudice focuses on gender roles and social norms.
There’s a really sweet scene where a school teacher goes out of her way to make sure a child feels accepted and can enjoy a special Halloween party.
You really feel the personality of the small town with all its beauty and faults.
I always enjoy movies that show different kinds of family and explore the definition of home.
I loved the scene when Palmer is trying to explain to Sam that boys don’t watch cartoons about fairy princesses. He points out that there are no boys in the show and then asks Sam why he thinks that is. Sam, very innocently and confidently, replies, “Then I’ll be the first!”

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

We’ve seen this kind of story many times before, so the film feels very cliched and predictable. I was hoping for a unique twist, but it really is just a straightforward plot.
Some reviewers have been harsh in their criticism of Justin Timberlake’s acting. I thought he did a really good job. I wonder how Jessica Biel, his wife in real life, felt about her husband going at it with two different women in this movie.
Some viewers will complain that it’s a slow burn and not much happens.
Not much humor.
The musical score is redundant and manipulative.
There is a storyline about the deed to a home that is completely dropped without resolution.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Lots of profanity and F-bombs
Drinking and smoking
Two unmarried couples “go at it.” You see the naked back & side of a woman
There is a gender-nonconformist seven-year-old
You see a naked boy in a bathtub but bubbles cover up his private parts
Domestic violence
Talk of drug use
Some men get into a fistfight

THEMES:

Redemption, second chances
Prejudice
Acceptance
Bullying
Tolerance
Child abandonment
People can change
Family

INTERESTING LINES:

“Some people just have too much to say.” – Vivian (June Squibb)
“She’s a bossy little thing.” – Sam (Ryder Allen)
“Rootbeer floats….heaven in a cup.” – Sam (Ryder Allen)
“There’s things you can be in this world and things that you can’t.” – Palmer (Justin Timberlake)

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