“Finestkind” (2023) written & directed by Brian Helgeland, starring Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega & Tommy Lee Jones / Z-View

Finestkind (2023)

Director:  Brian Helgeland

Screenplay: Brian Helgeland

Stars: Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, Tommy Lee Jones, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Lolita Davidovich, Clayne Crawford, Meghan Leathers, Celeste Oliva and Tim Daly.
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Tagline: None.

The Plot…

Charlie (Wallace) and Tom (Foster) are half-brothers.  They have the same mother, but different fathers.  Because of this, they come from opposite worlds.  Charlie’s father is a rich attorney.  Tom’s dad is a working class fisherman.  At one time Charlie and Tom had a great relationship. But they drifted apart.

Now that Charlie’s graduated college he wants to spend the summer fishing with Tom.  Despite some bad luck at first, Charlie’s summer is looking up.  He and Mabel (Ortiz) have hit it off.  Tom and his fishing crew have accepted him.  Now if Tom and his dad could just patch up their differences.  Things go sideways when Tom gets greedy.

Really sideways.  Losing Tom’s dad’s boat bad.

So they decide to do a “one-time” drug deal.  What they don’t know is that someone has a plan of their own.  One that will lead to betrayal and murders.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I’m a Brian Helgeland fan.  As a writer we can thank him for L.A. Confidential, Man on Fire, Mystic River, Assassins, Payback and more.  He also directed films such as Payback and 42.  With Finestkind, Helgeland served as both screenwriter and director.

Finestkind doesn’t follow the typical Hollywood screenplay format.  Some reviewers have complained that Finestkind can’t decide if it’s a family drama or a crime story.  I find that a silly complaint. The guy who wrote it, directed it.  He knew exactly what he wanted, a family drama that involves a crime story.  Others have nitpicked that the movie takes too long to get to the crime, twists and action.  I like that Finestkind doesn’t follow the expected movie timeline.

Helgeland takes his time.   We come to understand the characters, their lives and the choices they’ve made. Helgeland is supported by an excellent cast.  Tommy Lee Jones is always great and I’d put his performance here near the top of his resume.  Ben Foster always delivers.  Jenna Ortega is a powerhouse.  The camera and audiences love her.  With good reason.  Toby Wallace is new to me, but I’ll be watching for his future films.  Kudos to Clayne Crawford for a smaller but important role.  He nails it.

Finestkind (2023) earns 4 of 5 stars.