Movie Review – Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot

DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT is set in the early 1970’s and is based on a true story. John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix) had been living a hedonistic and alcohol-infused lifestyle from the age of 12 through to the age of 21, at which point he becomes involved in an auto accident, leaving him a quadriplegic in a wheelchair. Callahan is reluctantly admitted for addiction rehabilitation treatment, through the advice and encouragement of his nurse and soon-to-be girlfriend, Annu (Rooney Mara). While in treatment, Callahan discovers he has a talent for creating irreverent comic strips, and this talent helps him cope with the process of overcoming his addiction. Jack Black plays Dexter, a former acquaintance of Callahan’s, who becomes  Callahan’s negative influence prior to his accident. Tim (Tony Greenhand)​, Reba (Beth Ditto), Mike (Mark Webber), Martingale (Ronnie Adrian), Corky (Kim Gordon), and Hans (played by the legendary Udo Kier), are fellow residents at the facility and additional support for Callahan. The standout performance in this film however, is accomplished  by Jonah Hill. Hill plays Donnie, the support group leader and one of the few individuals who makes it his goal to encourage and motivate Callahan to want the change in himself to eventually become a better person.

In much of the same style as Terry Zwigoff’s film Crumb, director Gus Van Sant combines animated versions of Callahan’s comic strips with Callahan’s life story while it unfolds on screen. As with all of Van Sant’s films, the main character or characters are in crisis. This individual in particular struggles with maintaining his addiction recovery while adjusting to his new and improved way of life. Supporting characters influence him and contribute to his recovery in their own unique ways. Van Sant is known for pushing the envelope with his straightforward and fearless directing style. His films often raise awareness of mental illness, the fragility of human existence, overcoming addiction, coping with crisis, the influence of media, and success in the face of adversity. Van Sant neither apologizes, nor ever self-censors his work. What you see is what you get, and that is the way Gus likes it.

Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot is another worthy addition to Gus Van Sant’s body of work. The film is a production of Amazon studios, but is slated for limited theatrical release on July 13th.  Check this one out wherever you can find it.