Ah, the good old days. . . when you could drive around drunk, blowing chunks out of the window along the way. Of course, I’m being facetious, but this folly-filled sequence, set in an era when this happened more than anyone would like to remember (the 1970s), is a lead in to the first of two cruxes at the centre of the politically incorrect leaning titled feature, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018) – co-written and directed by Gus Van Sant.
Centred on John Callahan (Joaquin Phoenix), the fateful sequence finds him in the passenger seat while said vomiter, Dexter (Jack Black), drives them to their next alcohol-fuelled party – falling asleep at the wheel, the brutal accident leaves Callahan a paraplegic.
Obviously an alcoholic, Callahan utilizes dark humour as a facade, these two things covering up a multitude of issues: depressed, lacking guidance and wholly unhappy, booze has helped control the hatred, loss and confusion stemming from his mother putting him up for adoption (still unsure as to who she is).
Pieced together in a fascinating way, Van Sant flashes forward and back (sometimes the flashbacks are not in chronological order either), Callahan telling his story to a group of kids who rescue him after flying out of his wheelchair, to crowds after becoming famous, and most importantly, to a private Alcoholics Anonymous-style group hosted by wealthy hippie-ish sponsor Donnie (Jonah Hill) – looking like he would fit right in as a zen member of The Allman Brothers Band.
Finding passion in art, Callahan painstakingly develops crude drawings bubbled with his unique brand of off-colour humour. . . politically incorrect – skewering race, bigotry and everything in between, it is the type of love it or hate it comedy that likely wouldn’t find publication in the very PC twenty-first century newspapers and magazines.
He also strikes up a relationship with his former masseuse (who worked on him while he was recovering in the hospital), a Swedish woman named Annu (Rooney Mara) who is now a flight attendant. Yet, despite these two very positive avenues, Callahan still struggles, not only to stay sober, but also to find forgiveness in his heart for others as well as himself. That is the question: will he ever be able to find said forgiveness, a catharsis for his soul?
Another interesting decision from Van Sant finds Callahan’s comedic drawings littered throughout – sometimes coming to life, the figures moving as if we are watching some discarded, edgy and flawed Disney product. They provide a deeper understanding of the man, his mind, and why he became quasi-famous.
But, at the heart of this motion picture are the performances. Featuring a stellar ensemble cast, Udo Kier and musical greats Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney) and Beth Ditto (Indie rock group Gossip) must also be mentioned, it is another superb turn from Joaquin Phoenix, while Jonah Hill brings forth one of his most serious performances to date (though a funny dance featuring those now-embarrassing 70’s tennis shorts captures the let-loose comedy he is so adept at). Together, the pair share several powerful moments, a noticeable semi-breakthrough towards the end – a magical scene of pure, unadulterated acting, while their final conversation adds another poignant touch to a film that only grows stronger as it rolls towards its closing notes. There is also a late meeting between Callahan and Dexter – another example of an acting masterclass well worth mentioning.
Unable to truly enjoy the light without experiencing some darkness, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot is a bittersweet tale of pain, loss and realizing that those pesky problems hounding us will likely never be solved, yet, also finding life and love, in all of its flawed beauty (a dramedy to be sure). Featuring powerful performances, an interesting puzzle-pieced-together story by Van Sant (a likely love it or hate it decision, in any case, it trots a path that stays away from banal platitudes), and a jazzy score from Danny Elfman, it is a movie that may find itself knocking at the door of acting categories this award’s season. So, bring out your inner rebel and check out this unique feature. . . now, I leave you with this joke that Callahan would likely love – I can’t stand being in a wheelchair.