By McRae Walker, Staff Writer
“The Peanut Butter Falcon” has made its way to more than a thousand theaters in the past month, but showings on the Outer Banks offered a unique experience for hundreds of locals.
People on the beach were given the opportunity to see the film and speak with its creators in a personal way. Co-writer, director and local Tyler Nilson greeted friends and family members before showings at the R/C Kill Devil Hills and Pioneer Theatre in Manteo.
He and his directing partner, Michael Schwartz, even received a standing ovation after the credits rolled, showing that this OBX story was welcomed home with open arms.
“I ripped stories from everyone in this room,” Nilson said to a theater filled with locals at the weekend premiere.
Nilson, a graduate of Manteo High School, left his beach home and went to California trying to become an actor, and while he got some small gigs before writing, he also became one of the top hand models in the country.
After trying his “hand” at hand modeling, he attempted to create his own short film but found out he didn’t actually know how to write a story. This led him to study story writing, and eventually he decided to make his own film with Schwartz, a friend he met in California.
Through a short film, “The Moped Diaries,” an Instagram post by Josh Brolin, a Facetime from Shia LaBeouf and “one dude from Philly” who helped fund the project, their film was created, recognized and beloved – after five years of struggle that included stints of living in his car and living in a tent.
A surprising part of “The Peanut Butter Falcon” success story is that it was made for Zack Gottsagen. Although Gottsagen had worked hard in the business since he was 3, he was never given a shot because he has Down syndrome. Nilson and Schwartz met Gottsagen at a camp in California and formed an instant bond.
“We took it on our own to create an opportunity for him,” Nilson said.
Gottsagen stars alongside LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson in a story that was filmed in Georgia but is set on the Outer Banks. Not only are there frequent name-drops throughout the movie like Colington and Dare County, but the writers also strive to create an authentic local feeling.
Among other things, the setting and even the wardrobe are callouts to the OBX, including an Outer Banks hat worn by LaBeouf’s character throughout the film. But the movie is far from just a love letter to the OBX. While most local residents might see it as more of a “local thing,” the movie is well done, capturing the Audience Award at the South by Southwest Festival and receiving praise from multiple film critics.
Made for just $6.2 million, the movie has grossed more than $12 million after a month in theaters, according to the Box Office Mojo website.
Adding to the authenticity of the movie, its obscure bluegrass soundtrack your dad might not even recognize stuck out as a key element to the story. Much like the music, its scenic transitions as well as physical and spiritual journey also created an Outer Banks “feeling” for its viewers.
The actors’ performances were excellent. You could feel the emotion in every scene, whether it was Gottsagen’s optimism or LaBeouf’s stoic pondering. The duality of these interactions leads to some of the best scenes in the film.
Almost nothing is out of place in the plot of this movie, and that is one of its greatest strengths. Even something as simple as a visit to a convenience store may have significance later on.
The script creates an uplifting tone that keeps coming back, even after the darkest twists. And comedy, both intentional and unintentional, is a huge part of that.
One negative aspect to this movie is that it does indulge in some cliches, but this is a small price to pay for a wonderful film that’s full of heart.
Junior Crae Walker can be reached at 21walkermc92@daretolearn.org.
