News of the World review: Tom Hank’s first-ever western film is worth a watch

3.5/5

The film, based on a novel of the same name by Paulette Jiles, starring Tom Hanks and 12-year-old German actress, Helena Zengel, who is making her debut in Hollywood, is entitled to applause. Directed by Paul Greengrass, this film is Tom Hanks' first Western.

The story setbacks in 1970 where Captain Jefferson Kidd (Tom Hanks) is an army veteran and has no reason to settle after returning from war, he travels from town to town and shares tales of devastating catastrophes, political dealings, and gripping adventures from around the world to those who have 10 cents to give him. During this time, he finds his own adventure when he meets a girl Johanna (Helena Zengel), who was raised by the Kiowa tribe, and now was being sent back to her biological aunt and uncle. But, by whom she had to be escorted, was killed in the mid-way. Captain Kidd now considers her to be his responsibility and reluctantly agrees to deliver Johanna where she belongs.

Facing many difficulties, while traveling town to town with a little girl, Captain Kidd reaches Johanna’s relative's place, leaves her there, and moves to his own town, but inside a pang of guilt forces him to bring Johanna back. In the end, he starts a new journey with her, in which he no longer narrates the news related to violence, but tells people the news which makes them laugh and lightens their hearts as well as makes Johanna his assistant.

Tom Hank’s film journey has always given us a lot to learn from his characters as well as adore them as they each have their own individuality. He has again done an extraordinary job with the lead of this western film. Fans of Tom Hanks might ask for a sequel for a movie where he is literally just reading the ‘News of the World.’