This image released by Apple shows Ryder Allen, foreground, and Justin Timberlake in a scene from Palmer. (Apple via AP)
There’s a kitchen-sink full of Serious Drama Cliches in the new Justin Timberlake film Palmer, about a high school football star turned convict who must help the young gender fluid boy with the addict mom next door while also trying to regain his footing in his small Louisiana hometown. It’d be an insult to real Oscar-bait to even call this Oscar-bait. And yet, compelling performances make Palmer watchable and fairly affecting despite the fact that we’ve seen this kind of thing so many times before.
January 28, 2021 Share
There’s a kitchen-sink full of Serious Drama Cliches in the new Justin Timberlake film “Palmer,” about a high school football star turned convict who must help the young gender fluid boy with the addict mom next door while also trying to regain his footing in his small Louisiana hometown. It’d be an insult to real Oscar-bait to even call this Oscar-bait. And yet, compelling performances make “Palmer” watchable and fairly affecting despite the fact that we’ve seen this kind of thing so many times before.
Timberlake plays Eddie Palmer, who has just been released from prison after 12 years and is going to live with his grandmother Vivian (June Squibb) in his old hometown. He’s got the ex-con beard and hoodie and thousand-yard squint and is a bit of a mystery, although that might be giving him a little too much credit. The script takes its time teasing out what exactly landed him behind bars.
Review: Timberlake seeks redemption in formulaic ‘Palmer’
by Lindsey Bahr, The Associated Press
Posted Jan 27, 2021 4:21 pm EDT
Last Updated Jan 27, 2021 at 4:28 pm EDT
This image released by Apple shows Ryder Allen, foreground, and Justin Timberlake in a scene from “Palmer.” (Apple via AP)
There’s a kitchen-sink full of Serious Drama Cliches in the new Justin Timberlake film “Palmer,” about a high school football star turned convict who must help the young gender fluid boy with the addict mom next door while also trying to regain his footing in his small Louisiana hometown. It’d be an insult to real Oscar-bait to even call this Oscar-bait. And yet, compelling performances make “Palmer” watchable and fairly affecting despite the fact that we’ve seen this kind of thing so many times before.
Even before the pandemic, “The Little Things” would have been a throwback.Star-laden thrillers, with studio scale and high-priced craft, are one of those ge