Free State of Jones

An interesting topic, mainly because the period of slavery in America is inherently compelling. For me, it's one of the craziest periods that has taken place on Earth, mainly because it shows how pathetic we can be. Unfortunately, the film doesn't cross any boundaries and delivers what is expected of it. Matthew's still good, though. (24/01/2017)

Matthew McConaughey is truly an exceptional actor, a top-class performer. Give him a role, write him a good script, and rest assured, he will squeeze every ounce of potential out of it. After his performance, you’ll only be able to tip your hat, and thank him for everything. That’s the kind of actor he is, ladies and gentlemen. But let’s get back to the film. Free State of Jones immediately struck me with two things. The first is the budget. Many people wonder where those 50 million dollars went, but after watching the film, it’s clear. Not much was spent on the battle scenes (as the film is mostly dialogue-driven), but the period-accurate exteriors looked so authentic that the cost reflects reality. The second thing is the well-crafted script, which doesn’t throw empty phrases or meaningless messages at you but delivers genuinely profound ideas that make the viewer think. McConaughey almost mesmerized me with his performance—how he does it remains a mystery. I was just shy of giving it a perfect score. The film had a bit of a made-for-TV look, and much of it felt too "clean," which doesn’t quite fit a story set around the Civil War. But thanks to the incredible performances, captivating music, and a genuinely brilliant script, it’s a must-watch. I give it 83%. (30/08/2017)