Film Review: 'Kodachrome' Provides a Nice, If Predictable Ride

Midway through Netflix’s new film “Kodachrome,” Ed Harris’ photographer character laments the world’s move to digital. Film and prints are artifacts to his character and digital photography allows billions of photographs to be taken but for it to not live in any tangible place. The artist’s desire to shoot on Kodachrome film specifically drives the road trip plot of Netflix’s latest acquisition. While the film doesn’t display many of the artistic or narrative flourishes Harris’ central character waxes on about, it does make for a solid, heartfelt trip.

The basis for “Kodachrome” shares familiarity with many other movies of the road trip genre. Matt Ryder (Jason Sudeikis) struggles to sign on a new band that will keep him afloat at work. As he spirals at work, he receives a visit from Zoe Kern (Elizabeth Olsen) a nurse for Matt’s estranged ailing Father, Ben (Ed Harris). Ben earned his riches as a famed photographer who insists on only shooting on Kodachrome film. He suffers from liver cancer and finds himself rapidly deteriorating. Zoe tells Matt that Ben has found a few reels of Kodachrome left undeveloped and the only place in the US that develops it is in Kansas. After much goading and the promise of a meeting with the band that will save his career, Matt joins Zoe and Ben on a road trip to Kansas to develop these last photos.

Will Matt and Ben butt heads as they go over the strain of their familial relationship? Of course. Do you think Matt might develop feelings for Zoe, with every other character frequently remarking about this? You bet. Will lessons be learned by all involved by the movie’s tearful conclusion? Naturally. “Kodachrome” hardly reinvents the wheel. In fact, it feels most comfortable hitting all the necessary pit stops on its scenic road trip journey to a pat conclusion. Few elements of the film surprise. That still doesn’t make it a genial, and sometimes affecting, journey to go one. Writer Jonathan Tropper adapted this script from an article written by A.G. Sulzberger. In many ways, the film feels like a headline that was put through the traditional “save the cat” writing structure to achieve a very functional end product. Yet, there are some charms that make the movie worthwhile.

Many of the charms have to do with the cast. Jason Sudeikis surprised many with his strong work in “Colossal” last year. In “Kodachrome,” Sudeikis continues to push himself and surprises with how moving he can be. Sure he conveys the apathy and anger he has towards his Father who abandoned him. However, he does a good job of selling his journey towards acceptance and admiration for Ben’s work.

Ed Harris manages to be both charismatic and vulnerable as Ben. Sure, we get maybe one or two too many monologues about the price and value of art. These moments bog down a film that loves to self-mythologize. Yet, Harris creates an interesting chemistry with Sudeikis. Both are stubborn and prone to temper. However, there’s enough reason for them to choose each other as they go on this journey.

Sudeikis also finds a nice rhythm with Olsen’s Zoe. Their romance feels preordained at best and forced at its worst. Their scenes together feel nice and the film builds to their inevitable romantic connection. Yet, Zoe still feels underwritten. We learn about her past relationships, but her character’s backstory still only exists in relation to the Father-Son drama. The film borrows its structure and tone from other similar stories. Unfortunately, it also borrows past films’ apathy towards their female characters.

Director Mark Raso directs the film with a nice sense of nostalgia and ease. He clearly shows reverence for Ben’s insistence on shooting on Kodachrome film. In that way, he gives certain road trip moments bursts of color and light. The finale revolving around those pictures are nice, moving and give the film a greater sense of purpose. There’s beauty all around this traditional road trip. In many ways, these are the films Netflix should work on acquiring. It’s great to see films with new directors that are getting their films seen. Hopefully, we get more films like this hitting Netflix’s streaming service rather than schlocky brand extensions, such as “The Cloverfield Paradox.”

“Kodachrome” is currently available on Netflix for streaming and in select theaters.

GRADE: (★★★)

What did you think of “Kodachrome?” Please let us know in the comments below.

Read the full article