Free State of Jones (2016)

Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on June 27, 2016 @ tonymacklin.net.

Director/writer Gary Ross "jones around" with actual history in Free State of Jones.

Actor Mathew McConaughey "jones around" with the leading character Newt Knight, who was an actual figure.

And writer/producer Leonard Hartman "jones around" with language and actual events.

Free State of Jones is a fitful product of mutual "jonesing around."

Ross is a fur piece away from his past films, and he tries to cobble together fact and fiction. Mississippi ain't Pleasantville.

Free State of Jones begins in 1862 with a brutal battle between the South and North. Medic Newt Knight (McConaughey) deserts and returns home to his wife Serena (Keri Russell) and son, and his plight as a poor farmer.

Knight starts a relationship with a slave Rachel (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), and eventually she becomes his 2nd spouse - a common law wife.

He organizes a guerilla band of neighbors and slaves to oppose the Confederate troops and establish freedom - the State of Jones.

At one point the film takes a leap into a 1940s subplot - involving the interracial marriage of one of his descendants.

McConaughey, as the righteous Knight, has his patented penetrating stare. Ross is infatuated with close-ups of his leading man's face. At least McConaughey's image is as a visionary, not just stylin' as a car salesman.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Mahershala Ali are credible as rebellious slaves.

Writer Leonard Hartman was an offensive lineman on the football team at Ohio State, and his story is like a distended game plan, not equal to the possibilities of the game.

Fumbling women become instant sharpshooters. Motivation is inchoate.

Free State of Jones obviously is a labor of love for filmmaker Gary Ross.

We, the audience, share the labor.