The Gritty Western of News of the World

News of the World: The Gritty Western of 2021

Overview

News of the World is a 2021 western drama based on the 2016 novel of the same name written by Paulette Jiles. The movie follows the story of a Civil War veteran named Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, played by Tom Hanks, who travels around post-Civil War Texas delivering news to towns. Along the way, he meets a young orphaned girl whose family has been killed by a band of Kiowa raiders, and he must protect her from the same people who murdered her family. This movie is set in a gritty post-Civil War world and explores themes of loyalty, justice, and humanity. In the following blog post, we will discuss the plot, characters, themes, reviews, and the general reception of News of the World.

I. Plot

News of the World follows the story of Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks), a Civil War veteran who travels around post-Civil War Texas delivering news to towns. While on the road, he meets Johanna, a young orphaned girl whose family was killed by Kiowa raiders. Captain Kidd takes it upon himself to protect Johanna, and together they travel across the state in search of her family. Along the way, they face many obstacles and challenges, such as harsh terrain, hostile locals, and a band of Kiowa raiders who are still searching for Johanna. As their journey progresses, Captain Kidd and Johanna form an unlikely bond and discover what it means to be a family.

II. Characters

The main character of News of the World is Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks). He is a Civil War veteran who travels around post-Civil War Texas delivering news to towns. He is a kind-hearted man who takes it upon himself to protect Johanna, a young orphaned girl whose family was killed by Kiowa raiders. The other main character is Johanna, a young girl who was orphaned after her family was killed by Kiowa raiders. She is taken in by Captain Kidd and they form an unlikely bond as they travel across the state in search of her family.

III. Themes

News of the World explores themes of loyalty, justice, and humanity. Captain Kidd is a man of loyalty and justice; he takes it upon himself to protect Johanna and bring her to safety, despite the danger it puts him in. This movie also explores the theme of family and how people can form strong bonds even in the most dire of circumstances.

IV. Reviews

News of the World has been met with generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. On the review website Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds an approval rating of 86%, with an average rating of 7.3/10. On Metacritic, the movie has a score of 72 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

V. Reception

News of the World has been well-received by both critics and audiences. The movie has grossed over $22 million worldwide and has been nominated for several awards, including two Golden Globe Awards and a Critics Choice Movie Award.

Conclusion

News of the World is an excellent western drama that explores themes of loyalty, justice, and humanity. The movie stars Tom Hanks as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who takes it upon himself to protect Johanna, a young orphaned girl whose family was killed by Kiowa raiders. The story is set in a gritty post-Civil War world and has been met with generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The movie has grossed over $22 million worldwide and has been nominated for several awards, making it one of the most successful western dramas of 2021.