No State for Dim Men: "Arkansas" well-cast but rambles on without much interest


Arkansas (2020)
115 min.
Release Date: May 5, 2020 (Digital & On Demand)

Based on the 2008 novel by John Brandon, “Arkansas” is surely a promising feature directorial debut for comedy-prone actor Clark Duke, who co-wrote the script with feature first-timer Andrew Boonkrong. A quirky, darkly comic crime neo-noir indebted to Cormac McCarthy and Elmore Leonard, this Coen Brothers-esque pastiche is an interesting idea that’s still searching for a more interesting film. Despite all of the talent on tap, the shaggy, laid-back “Arkansas” is unevenly paced and so uninvolving that it's hard to muster up any feeling for any of it.

Kyle Ribb (Liam Hemsworth) and Swin Horn (Clark Duke) are strangers who make their living as low-level drug runners for Arkansas-based kingpin Frog (Vince Vaughn), whom neither of them has ever met. When they are sent to transport product to Corpus Christi, Texas, Kyle and Swin are stopped by a park ranger named Bright (John Malkovich), who turns out to be working undercover for Frog and intervenes. Kyle and Swin begin working for Bright, however, fail to follow the orders of keeping a low profile when Swin falls for nurse Johnna (Eden Brolin). More poor decisions ensue.

Ambitious but small, “Arkansas” certainly aims high with a seriocomic tone that’s heavy on attitude and a sprawling, nonlinear storytelling structure that divides the narrative into five chapter headings. Duke also tries out different stylistic techniques to give this story some much-needed panache and flavor, much like obvious influencer Quentin Tarantino. And yet, the stakes just never feel high enough, and Kyle and Swin might be to blame for that. Sure, these two are dim good old boys who are never as sly or as smart as they think are, but there isn’t much to these colorful yet flimsy characters to really get behind or care what happens to them.

Clark Duke, the co-writer and director, loves Clark Duke, the actor, so much, possibly more so than the viewer will as the goofily named Swin Horn, but also sharing co-lead duties is Liam Hemsworth (2019’s “Isn’t It Romantic”), who finally gets the opportunity to showcase more dramatic abilities and shading than he ever has as Kyle. Eden Brolin (daughter of Josh) has competent comic timing and projects warmth as Johnna, who unexpectedly becomes the heart of “Arkansas.” Of the more seasoned actors, John Malkovich seems to be having fun in a seemingly pivotal but significantly minor role, and Vivica A. Fox gets to sink her teeth as much as she can into anonymous go-between “Her.” Best of all, though, is Vince Vaughn, who’s terrific when he’s not asked to be liked. As pawnshop owner-turned-drug lord Frog, Vaughn brings a danger and volatility that suit the formerly fast-talking actor well, not unlike his formidable, uncompromising turn in 2017’s “Brawl in Cell Block 99.” As “Arkansas” keeps rambling on and on, it ends up feeling slight by a half.

Grade: C

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