Review of Free State of Jones (2016) by Nick D — 25 Jun 2016

Matthew McConaughey leads a solid cast in this historical drama about a real anti-Confederate rebellion in southeastern Mississippi during the Civil War. While the acting and effects are fine and the filmmakers made a great effort at historical accuracy, this film falls short of its potential.

The two worse film-making offenses are a series of needless flash forwards and the use, on a couple occasions, of historical photos to show progression of time and off-screen historical events. The movie also carries into Reconstruction and doesn't delve enough into the characters themselves.

I don't think it's a boring or bad film, but it is a flawedly and disappointing one that will appeal more to those already interested in history without drawing in the average moviegoer.