Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot

Name: Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy
Released: July 13, 2018
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 67
Cast: Beth Ditto, Carrie Brownstein, Emilio Rivera, Jack Black, Joaquin Phoenix

2018

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Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Amazon Studios | Release Date: July 13, 2018 | R

Starring: Beth Ditto, Carrie Brownstein, Emilio Rivera, Jack Black, Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Kim Gordon, Mark Webber, Olivia Hamilton, Ronnie Adrian, Rooney Mara, Tony Greenhand, Udo Kier

Summary: John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix) has a lust for life, a talent for off-color jokes, and a drinking problem. When an all-night bender ends in a catastrophic car accident, the last thing he intends to do is give up drinking. But when he reluctantly enters treatment — with encouragement from his girlfriend (Rooney Mara) and a charismaticJohn Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix) has a lust for life, a talent for off-color jokes, and a drinking problem. When an all-night bender ends in a catastrophic car accident, the last thing he intends to do is give up drinking. But when he reluctantly enters treatment — with encouragement from his girlfriend (Rooney Mara) and a charismatic sponsor (Jonah Hill) — Callahan discovers a gift for drawing edgy, irreverent newspaper cartoons that develop an international following and grant him a new lease on life. … Expand

Director: Gus Van Sant

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 114 min

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Critic Reviews

Vince Mancini

Jul 11, 2018

Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot is a straightforward biopic about an interesting guy, starring one of our best actors. It’s a story of adversity, self-discovery, and redemption. It’s not the kind of story we’ve never seen, but it’s a perfect showcase for Gus Van Sant’s skill. Read full review

David Rooney

Jan 20, 2018

In a terrific performance that encompasses countless attitudinal, emotional and physical shifts, Joaquin Phoenix eases into the lead role with equal parts raw pain, ironic humor and eventual mellow acceptance. Read full review

Justin Chang

Jul 12, 2018

Van Sant pays tribute to the restorative power of faith, discipline and perseverance, but he also resists the temptation to follow these themes into an overly pat or complacent groove. Read full review

William Bibbiani

Jul 12, 2018

Joaquin Phoenix gives an admirable performance as an interesting artist, whose life story otherwise gets the short shrift by this conventional drama with a frustratingly narrow focus. Read full review

Oktay Ege Kozak

Aug 1, 2018

Gus Van Sant’s film certainly captures how Callahan used whimsy as a defense mechanism against seemingly insurmountable real-life conflict, but Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot captures little of how Callahan’s art was such a vital part of that whimsy. Read full review

Lindsey Bahr

Jul 11, 2018

There are quite a few good pieces and performances in Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, but, ultimately, it also has the feeling of a first or second draft that isn’t quite where it should be. Read full review

The Guardian Jordan Hoffman

Jan 20, 2018

There are plenty of great moments, but they jump out amid a jumble of strangely flat scenes. This doesn’t feel like the work of a great master; it’s a discordant brew that just doesn’t blend right. Read full review

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User Reviews

The3AcademySins

Feb 12, 2019

A complete surprise of an excellent biopic, although I don't know what else to expect other than excellence from Gus Van Sant! Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot is a simple movie, but it's simplicity never detracts from the emotional story of one man's battle with alcoholism and hisA complete surprise of an excellent biopic, although I don't know what else to expect other than excellence from Gus Van Sant! Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot is a simple movie, but it's simplicity never detracts from the emotional story of one man's battle with alcoholism and his search for redemption and meaning in life. Joaquin Phoenix is superb, and Jonah Hill also gives a beautiful supporting performance. The script, also written by Van Sant, is great. This is a nice uplifting movie, and one I will keep going back to over the performances alone. Definitely worth a watch, especially if you are a fan of Joaquin Phoenix or Gus Van Sant's work.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

alejandro970

Apr 24, 2020

Gus Van Sant knew how to translate the history of John Callahan story without simple, cheap sentimentality proper of an greeting card. The story of Callahan, how got crippled and how found in the art a form of express his frustrations. Compelling till last minute.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GinaK

Jul 23, 2018

An excellent film with a great performance by Joaquin Phoenix and the entire cast. Yes, it was a bit long (I remember thinking at one point – “is this film three hours?”), but I was never bored for a second, and I was often moved by many of the actors. My one frustration was that the filmAn excellent film with a great performance by Joaquin Phoenix and the entire cast. Yes, it was a bit long (I remember thinking at one point – “is this film three hours?”), but I was never bored for a second, and I was often moved by many of the actors. My one frustration was that the film did not show enough of John Callahan’s cartoons, which are really great!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

justwibi

Oct 3, 2018

Joaquin Phoenix & Jonah Hill performance is definitely save this film a lot!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Dufreshest

Jul 27, 2018

In Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot, John Callahan’s character narrates the importance of acting normal buying alcohol as though to show he has no drinking problem. At another point in the film, John Callahan’s character finds himself amidst a crowd which imbibes alcohol socially thoughIn Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot, John Callahan’s character narrates the importance of acting normal buying alcohol as though to show he has no drinking problem. At another point in the film, John Callahan’s character finds himself amidst a crowd which imbibes alcohol socially though he tends toward a drinking partner which drinks as much as he does instead of toward the more social aspect of the event (especially with a potential female mate showing great interest in him). John Callahan experiences divine interventions and begins to delve into embracing the presence of higher powers, not simply of divinity, but of creativity and love. John Callahan’s character finds purpose to live and then begins drawing which becomes his purposeful habit.

Read the full review at http://www.medium.com/@PIleOfGod
IG: @Dufreshest… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

amheretojudge

Oct 16, 2018

to know better than the sweet tooth..

Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot Van Sant's diagnosis to Callahan's biography is too brittle to stand on its own ground. The structure itself isn't palpable to the tone of the track. It either skips a bit or two or goes into inessential detailsto know better than the sweet tooth..

Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot

Van Sant's diagnosis to Callahan's biography is too brittle to stand on its own ground. The structure itself isn't palpable to the tone of the track. It either skips a bit or two or goes into inessential details that never should have made the cut. Ticking for around two hours, it sure makes you sweat especially in its last half. But it also doesn't suggest that it is in it's A game in the first one, in fact the first act is spent upon just introducing characters and setting their sub-plots and characteristics for further development. Just like the sessions Phoenix has as an alcoholic with his group, the entire feature is a series of pathos ideology or tales that is if not eradicated but surely mended with a sweeter tooth. And Van Sant is experienced enough to know better than the sweet tooth, his methods aren't general as the tale demands. Even his execution at times, seems daft along with editing whose attempt to go bolder and "raunchy" backfires vigorously (the first time Phoenix meets Mara could have been shot in a lots of better ways). Then, amidst all this, what is it that makes one thrive for this sometimes uneven and unstable venture. The answer is simply heartbreaking performance delivered by each cast member. Mara may not get any stand alone moment but she is thoroughly competent in her role just as Black is, in his complex one. The show stealer in here is undoubtedly Hill, whose not only character is aptly cooked and has three dimensional perspective resided within, but his each line quoted is justified thoroughly by his expressive portrayal; the meltdown in the end genuinely communicates with the viewers. The phenomenon Phoenix, at the heart of it, keeps it pumping harder and faster than ever despite of all the ups and downs. Not only he is physically challenged and constraint in its acts, but is also emotionally complex and on the extreme side of being of expressive and inexpressive nature. Fortunately, Phoenix has the potential to pull it off easily where he dances to his own beats and this time his partner is an empty bottle; it's a well choreographed act on terms of character analysation. Van Sant's project can be represented as its self-created sequence of Phoenix trying to reach for the bottle for the entire night; he is never going to get it but it surely can be a lesson to be learned from. The narration is elaborative but is also over-stretched and loses viewers' attention when it over chews few stuffs and takes its material for granted. The conversations are pragmatic and dialogues are layered that makes you think twice. In fact, there is a line that Phoenix quotes multiple times and it changes the gist or meaning of the line each time as it draws out various emotions from him. Don't Worry He Won't Get Far On Foot can actually be the guarantee or warranty card for this pathos bubble, it definitely pops, but its impact isn't wide enough to cover up the aspired range.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TVJerry

Aug 6, 2018

Watching movies about someone overcoming major physical obstacles has been done to award-winning effect. Seeing a person deal with alcoholism is a common cinematic theme. This film combines them both in the biographical examination of cartoonist John Callahan (played by Joaquin Phoenix).Watching movies about someone overcoming major physical obstacles has been done to award-winning effect. Seeing a person deal with alcoholism is a common cinematic theme. This film combines them both in the biographical examination of cartoonist John Callahan (played by Joaquin Phoenix). After being left quadriplegic, he deals with his new physical restrictions, struggles with sobriety and evolves into a popular cartoonist. Although the potential for powerful drama is inherent, director Gus Van Sant keeps the focus on intimate interactions and generally eschews emotional intensity. Fortunately, Phoenix creates a compelling character and co-star Jonah Hill provides some interesting moments. Even though there's potential for a fascinating story, the repetitious scenes, precious pacing and indulgent approach make it more agonizing for the audience that it is for the characters.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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