#RyanResellReviews

[rins-reviewz]

Palmer (2021) R 3.9/5 $$$

Decided to jump back into some reviews this year, starting off with a Justin Timberlake movie. Some of you are probably like seriously Ryan? Justin Timberlake?  Yes you are correct, this man is a phenomenal actor. From SNL, to the hit movie In Time (Movie where time is on your wrist or something pretty cool concept) I cannot even lie I had some nsync cassette tapes. (I was a kid so do not act like I went out and purchased them), but easy listening while my mom drove around.  Let’s get to this movie though in the paragraph below. 

The movie starts off pretty solid, I will say i had to quickly adjust as I jumped into this with no knowledge of this movie thinking it was going to be some slick action flick. It was more so a drama, and it was pretty good once I figured out JT was not going to be shooting his way through this movie. I was certain it was going to be some sort of action flick as it starts with JT’s character named “Palmer” is just getting out of prison for some unknown reason, and was immediately looking for a job. Unable to find a job Parker heads to the bar, and hooks up in a crazy sex scene with this random blonde chick without saying much at all.  Pretty crazy because I have been told I look like JT and pretty sure that is not how it works at all, but whatever it is a movie.  Palmer then wakes up to his grandmother looking at him as he strolls through the yard from the neighbors house (girl from the bar).  There is a short looking kid with grandma, and she is real persistent on getting to church on time.  We find out Palmers first name is Eddie, but prefers Palmer, and the Kid’s name is Sam.   Sam right away mentions that Palmer had a sleepover with his mom and they didn't wear pajamas. This is all kinda setting up the movie and that is why I am going into detail.  Palmer his grandmother and Sam are all at church and Sam gets slapped on head foreshadowing that he's frequently bullied.  This is confirmed as Palmer talks with two Cops outside of the Church, and Sam is playing with some girls in the field, The cops are familiar with Palmer telling him to stay out of trouble, also seems like a real close knit town, Hate the phrase but it is what it is. The Cops are related (father and son) and Palmer is under close watch from my understanding. He heads off into town for groceries for grandma, and is turned down on a job again, also sees the neighbor girl he was with, and another man leaving her house. Sam is in front yard looking upset.  At this point I am starting to notice the movie is not Action based and Sam and Palmer are going to have a connection. 

I was honestly looking for action, but I stayed for the movie regardless. For some reason I got hooked on to the connection of Palmer and Sam, and I was somewhat curious to find out what he was in jail for so long for. (I picked up that he was in jail for 12 years from the little caption, so for those reading I guess I lied about going in blind, I saw he was in jail for 12 years and I was sold)

When Palmer returns from the grocery store, Sam is in the kitchen with grandma, and she explains Sam stays there sometimes when the mom goes away (Drug benders, not really sure what else she is doing but she disappears for some time.)  Sam is playing with barbies, and has a lot of feminine traits, Palmer is very disgusted by this during the first half of this 2 hour movie.  Even though it is two hours, I do not mind the length as it had a pretty captivating storyline.  Palmer gets a job at Sam’s school as the janitor, and has a little bit of affection for the teacher. It was pretty hard for him to get this job as it took convincing and helped that he was at church with the Principal of the school. He also was a QB quarterback at LSU for a few years and was apparently really good, they don't mention more, until later. Palmer hits the bar with his old friends (who also greeted him as he was coming out of prison).  His old friends are still a$$holes and they are really annoying in the bar confronting Palmers Janitor boss. Palmer tells his friends to calm down then goes home.  Grandma Dies, and it kinda becomes a Palmer and Sam movie now. 

Palmer becomes extremely understanding of Sam and his behavior and how he has a love for a lot of things that girls like.  Sam is a very strong kid, and throughout the movie he is bullied, and remains strong through the whole endeavors.  Palmer and the Teacher get into a little bit of a relationship. This movie really has it all, I do not wan to get into too too much, but a certain bully scene provokes Palmer and he ends up handling some business. (Little bit of action here)  Everyone constantly questioning if Palmer has changed, he certainly has, and learns a lot through his experience with Sam.  He wanted to give Sam up when grandma died, but changed his mind after a cigarette.  This movie has some predictable plot lines, but the story is very wholesome.  

(SUMMARY)

Overall, This movie was a pretty good watch.  Justin Timberlake is really a good actor better then some will give credit.  I put him in my top 20 for sure as an actor. Hopefully we see more JT movies down the road.  Very nice drama movie, and it seems like it was kinda perfectly timed with how genders are viewed and really might help people who struggle with seeing this.  Personally I feel anyone can do whatever they would like and nobody should be able to tell anyone for any reason what they can and cannot like.  Everyone is free to do as they chose and live how they live.  Stopping someone from happiness is wrong and should be condemned. I would recommend this movie if your flipping through the channels I do know if I would have saw it in theaters.  Give it a shot its not horrible.