ReelBob: ‘Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot’ ★★★
By Bob Bloom
John Callahan was a talented individual.
He also was one beset by demons. Given up at birth by his mother, he turned to drink early in life to compensate for his feelings of abandonment and rejection.
Callahan’s life is explored by filmmaker Gus Van Zant in “Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot.”
Callahan was drunk as a passenger in a car driven by a friend who also was drunk.
They were in an accident in which the driver walked away with just a few bruises and scratches, while Callahan was paralyzed. Overnight, he became a quadriplegic.
The movie covers Callahan’s rough and winding road from alcoholism to sobriety, while exorcising his devils along the way.
On his journey to self-awareness, Callahan discovers he has a knack for drawing edgy, irreverent, sometimes politically incorrect cartoons that slowly begin to bring him recognition.
“Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot” is not a typical rags-to-riches biopic. Rather, it’s a case study of Callahan’s search for redemption and forgiveness.
Like most alcoholics, Callahan is selfish and self-centered, primarily thinking of where he is going to get his next drink.
After the car accident, he continues drinking, lying to himself that it is out of self-pity.
Finally, though, he enters Alcoholics Anonymous, where he begins to discover that he is the master of his own destiny.
Joaquin Phoenix as Callahan adds another strong performance to his resume. He again subjugates himself to the character, burying himself in the role.
Quite honestly, Callahan is rather unlikable in the beginning. But as the movie progresses, you begin to understand and like him more. And while you may not absolve him from all his excesses, you can at least applaud his efforts in changing his life for the better.
Jonah Hill as Donny, Callahan’s AA sponsor, brings a brutal frankness to the role. He does not coddle his “piglets,” as he calls those he helps.
He continually pushes them, including Callahan, to look deep inside themselves to bring to the surface all they hide deep within and expose them to the light of truth.
The movie’s major flaw is its nonlinear storytelling. At times, it is a bit confusing as you cannot immediately recognize where Callahan is on his path to reigniting his life.
Plus, Van Sant wastes the very talented Rooney Mara in a superficial role as Callahan’s girlfriend. She is more an ornament than a full-fledged individual.
Those miscues, however, should not deter you from seeing the movie and Phoenix’s sterling portrayal.
“Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot,” is like Callahan himself, a bit unorthodox and off-kilter, yet worth getting to know.
I am a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT
3 stars out of 4
(R), language, sexual content, brief nudity, alcohol abuse