Watch Hillbilly Elegy

"Hillbilly Elegy" is a 2020 drama film directed by Ron Howard and based on J.D. Vance's memoir of the same name. The movie follows the story of J.D. Vance (played by Gabriel Basso), a Yale Law student who is called back to his hometown in Ohio when his mother, Bev (Amy Adams), overdoses on heroin. J.D's grandmother, Mamaw (Glenn Close), takes him in, and he reflects on his upbringing as a member of a working-class family in Appalachia.

The film primarily focuses on the relationship between J.D. and his family, including his troubled mother, his drug-addicted sister, Lindsay (Haley Bennett), and his supportive grandmother. The story is told through flashbacks as J.D. remembers his upbringing and the struggles his family faced, including poverty, addiction, and domestic violence.

As J.D. tries to come to terms with his past and reconcile with his family, he is forced to confront the harsh realities of his upbringing and the impact it has had on his life. At the same time, Mamaw provides him with guidance and wisdom that helps him navigate his turbulent emotions and begin to heal.

The performances in "Hillbilly Elegy" are outstanding, particularly those of Amy Adams and Glenn Close. Adams delivers a powerful and heart-wrenching performance as a mother struggling with addiction and despair, while Close brings a quiet strength and resilience to her role as Mamaw. Basso is also impressive as J.D., capturing the complexity and emotional turmoil of his character.

The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning visuals of the Ohio countryside and an evocative score that complements the emotional intensity of the story. The film's pacing is deliberate, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the characters' lives and experiences.

Overall, "Hillbilly Elegy" is a moving and nuanced portrayal of a family struggling to survive in the face of adversity. It is a powerful reminder of the enduring pain caused by poverty, addiction, and abuse, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of these challenges.

Hillbilly Elegy is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 38.