Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Palmer’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One collective belief that a great deal of us share in, is that starting over in life, is quite the easy task. After all, we live in a world filled to the brim with endless opportunities. So, if by chance, we come to realize that a certain aspect of our day to day lives is no longer providing us with what we need emotionally or financially, then we are quick to hit the reset button on our current path… and go out and get what will nurture our wallets and our souls. Sure, it will be tough starting over in say, a new job or a new relationship, but we feel up to the task because sometimes a fresh start is exactly what we need in life to put us on the right path. But while that is definitely an inspirational and bold way to view everyday life, the fact of the matter is… that particular worldview and mantra is narrow and simplistic and privileged in nature.
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Because those particular problems, the kind that we put a great deal of emphasis on, are easy to solve. Which means that the vast majority of us are quite lucky. Since our biggest problems in life can be conquered no problem and we should be quite grateful for that. Because there are in fact, people out there who see starting over as quite the monumental task. For they have lost everything in life and have no choice but to claw and fight to find a shred of the happiness that the rest of us enjoy and that’s why it is important to sit down and pay attention to stories about people who aren’t as fortunate as we are. In part so we can indeed appreciate the opportunity and privileges we’ve been afforded. But also, so we can have a better worldview and understanding of what truly matters in life, and it just so happens that AppleTV+ is releasing a movie on Friday that explores what it really means to start over and what it takes to find true happiness in Palmer.

Now in this particular film, we are introduced to a man named Eddie Palmer who is heading home after spending twelve years in prison and all that he is hoping for at this point, is a genuine fresh start in life. For he has done his time and is ready to move forward and sadly, it doesn’t take long for Eddie, who prefers to be called Palmer; to discover that starting over can be supremely difficult when you’re a felon. For the stigma that surrounds that title limits his opportunities. But eventually, Palmer lands a gig as a janitor at the local school and just when it seems as though he is finally on track to properly start over in life, the universe throws a few more surprises his way, putting him at quite a crossroads. For the loss of his grandmother and the fact that he needs to watch over a young boy named Sam who has in essence, been abandoned by his mother, leaves Palmer wondering if he will ever know what a true fresh start looks like since the hits keep coming. But soon he comes to learn, that sometimes, the tough moments that come our way are actually blessings in disguise, since Sam’s arrival in his life is about to provide Palmer with the second chance, he’s been waiting for, in the most unique way imaginable.

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So, make no mistake about it, this is a supremely bleak and devastating film. One that holds nothing back in its exploration of what it truly means to start over in life. Because Palmer is outright destitute when we catch up with him in the story, and it is heartbreaking to watch him lose what little he earns and can cling to. And seeing him suffer and seeing him struggle, really does make for a visceral viewing experience. One that opens the viewer’s eyes as to how good so many of us have it, since we’ve never had to struggle with something as simple as finding a job or figuring out where we are going to live and while that does bring the viewer down a bit and leave them uncomfortable at times, this is all part of a grander plan. One that is designed to help the viewer truly understand what it means to start from scratch when the universe has dealt you a bad hand and it also helps us to learn exactly what we should genuinely cherish in life, a feat that is accomplished by way of Palmer and Sam’s unexpected friendship.

Because being put in a position to be a caretaker and having to figure out how to raise a kid that isn’t his own, forces Palmer to open up and realize that he’s not the only one to be dealt a rough hand. For Sam’s mother really is about as awful as they come and really has done a poor job of giving her son any semblance of guidance and direction. Which gives Palmer the chance to do something good in this world and do right by Sam and that’s when this movie makes it one hundred percent clear, that truly what matters most in life, are the people that are closest to us, especially the ones that look up to us and support us. Because they are a true treasure and when we have them at our side, things get a little clearer since they see things that we simply cannot, and that really is a subtle and beautiful message to find within this film. 

But of course, in order for that message and these elements to be a success, a strong cast is an outright necessity and thankfully, this movie features that as well. Because Justin Timberlake is simply electric as Palmer and is able to provide the audience with a nuanced performance that makes you care about him immediately and he is anchored by equally as powerful performances from Ryder Allen, who plays Sam, and Juno Temple, who plays Shelly, Sam’s mother. Since they bring innocence and empathy to the story with their earnest portrayal of a kid who is outright desperate for acceptance and guidance and an outright broken human being, respectively, and really in the end, all of these elements come together to create an absolutely incredible motion picture. One that really does offer up a unique perspective on life and redemption and how hard a fresh start can truly be when you don’t have a foundation to stand upon, and this is one that you should absolutely see since it will move you and remind you to cherish the wonderful souls that believe in us.

‘Palmer’ will be available to stream on AppleTV+ on January 29, 2021.

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