Watch The Free World
- R
- 2016
- 1 hr 40 min
-
6.1 (2,102)
The Free World is a drama film directed by Jason Lew that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016. The movie stars Boyd Holbrook as Mo Lundy, a recently released inmate who struggles to adjust to life outside prison. Elisabeth Moss plays Doris Lamb, a woman Mo meets while working at an animal shelter. Octavia Spencer portrays Linda Workman, Mo's parole officer who tries to help him navigate his new life.
The movie starts with Mo being released from prison after serving 22 years for a crime he didn't commit. He is a changed man, and he struggles to adjust to the outside world, which has changed significantly since he was incarcerated in the late 1990s. His parole officer, Linda Workman, tells him that he has to find a job, a place to live, and stay out of trouble if he wants to stay out of prison. Mo doesn't have any family or friends outside prison and finds it hard to find a job. He gets a job at an animal shelter and finds solace in taking care of dogs.
Mo meets Doris, a woman who comes to the shelter to adopt a dog. Doris is also struggling with her life, as she is in an abusive relationship with her husband, who is a police officer. Mo and Doris develop a friendship and slowly begin to understand each other's difficult circumstances. Mo offers to help Doris get out of her abusive relationship, but he soon finds himself in trouble with the law after a confrontation with Doris's husband.
Throughout the movie, Mo has to deal with his past demons, as well as the difficulties of living in a society that doesn't accept ex-convicts easily. His only hope for a better life is to find redemption, but that's easier said than done. He's haunted by his past and struggles to move forward, even though he has the support of Linda and Doris.
The movie's pacing is slow, which allows the audience to get invested in the characters' backgrounds and motives. The cinematography is beautiful, with many shots that beautifully capture the film's rural town setting. The soundtrack is also noteworthy, with hauntingly beautiful music that echoes Mo's pain and struggle to adapt to the outside world.
The acting in the film is superb, with Boyd Holbrook giving a standout performance as Mo Lundy. He brings a depth of emotions that's needed to pull off such a complicated character. Elisabeth Moss is also excellent as Doris, providing a nuanced portrayal of a woman trying to escape from her abusive life. Octavia Spencer is also impressive as Linda, who comes across as both tough and sympathetic in her role as Mo's parole officer.
Overall, The Free World is a must-see for drama lovers who appreciate well-crafted films with complex characters. The movie is a powerful exploration of redemption, forgiveness, and making a fresh start. It will take you on an emotional journey that is both heartbreaking and uplifting, leaving you with a renewed appreciation for the human spirit's resilience.
The Free World is a 2016 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 46.