I Just Watched Netflix’s New #1 Movie ‘Hillbilly Elegy’—Here’s My Honest Review

Hillbilly Elegy shows the impact of the American Dream on three generations of an Appalachian family. (Glenn Close plays the matriarch, Mamaw.) The movie begins by introducing viewers to J.D. (Owen Asztalos), a young boy who’s wise beyond his years.

This is a result of his unusual childhood, which involved being raised by a single mom, Bev (Amy Adams), who struggles with addiction. Although she didn’t set the best example, J.D. coaches his mother through breakups and bouts of anger.

That is, until he goes off to college, followed by Yale Law. Years later, grown-up J.D. (Gabriel Basso) is about to finalize his interviews for a summer associate position when he receives a call from his sister, Lindsay (Haley Bennett), who explains that Bev is in the hospital recovering from an overdose.

The movie documents J.D.’s journey home as he tries to reconnect with the family he left behind. While it’s not necessarily a tearjerker, the heartbreakingly real plot definitely pulled at my heartstrings.

It depends on your viewing preferences and any potential personal triggers, since there is a heavy emphasis on addiction. That being said, I highly suggest you give it a try if you feel comfortable with the sensitive subject.

The movie is admittedly slow moving at first, since it begins with J.D.’s turbulent childhood. It quickly picks up when the plot skips forward several years, turning more into a familial drama than a semi-comical glimpse of what it’s really like to grow up in the middle of nowhere.

Personally, I enjoyed the realness of it all. Hillbilly Elegy offers a rare glimpse at the sacrifices people like J.D. have made to achieve their dreams, all while highlighting the importance of family and where you came from. I’m only slightly ashamed to admit that I got the chills when J.D. said, “Where we come from is who we are, but we choose every day who we become.”

By the end of the movie, the complex story line comes full circle, which is something I appreciate when I invest nearly two hours of my time in a movie. During the credits, there are even details on where the real-life people are today, including Bev.

So, if you’re feeling in the mood for a slightly gut-wrenching tale that spans multiple generations, I suggest you add Hillbilly Elegy to your streaming queue.

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