AppleTV’s Palmer is a story of acceptance, compassion and unlikely friendships. Justin Timberlake’s performance really showcases his growth as an actor. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
AppleTV+’s new film Palmer, which stars Justin Timberlake, is one of the best films to hit the streaming service thus far. Directed by Fisher Stevens, who you may remember from the Short Circuit franchise and more recently won an Academy award for The Cove, and written by Cheryl Guerriero; they deliver a timely film which is sure to pull at all the heart strings. But is it appropriate for all ages? Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
Palmer Movie Quotes
Palmer Parents Guide
Eddie Palmer (Justin Timberlake) has just been released from prison for a 12 year sentence, the reasons which you will come to find out as the story progresses. He goes to live with his grandmother Vivian (June Squibb) while he tries to find a job and reclaim some sort of semblance of a life once again.
Living next door to Palmer and Vivian is Sam (Ryder Allen), a young boy who loves princesses and wearing makeup without really caring what others think about him. Sam’s mother Shelly (Juno Temple) is a drug addict who regularly takes off for extended periods of time, leaving Sam alone. After one of her disappearances, Sam finds himself in the care of Palmer, and things get interesting from there.
Palmer Movie Age Appropriate
Lets take a look at what parents need to know before letting their kids watch Palmer.
Language: Palmer does contain some strong language. Words include: the F-word, the S-word, a**, a**hole, d*mn, d*ck, fa**&t, and qu**r.
Sexual Content/Nudity: Their are two sex scenes, one of which was at the beginning of the movie and pretty graphic. You can see bare bottoms and a females breast.
Violence: The movie contains some violent scenes, some of them include: a beating of a man in a bar, a female is choked by her boyfriend, and a child is pushed by a male. There is a death, which does not occur by a violent act but may be difficult or trigger those who lost a loved one.
Drugs/Alcohol: The movie contains drinking and drug use. As stated before, Sam’s mother is a drug addict and there are scenes in which she is high on drugs and drug paraphernalia is shown.
Bullying: As stated above, the young boy in the film likes princesses and wearing makeup, this leads to bullying by his peers and also adults. This may also be triggering for a child who has experienced bullying.
Overall Thoughts
The timing of Palmer could not be more appropriate. With Biden reversing a transgender military ban, as well as implementing rights for transgender students this past week, the topic has been much debated recently between the conservative right and more liberal left. AppleTv+’s Palmer has no qualms of making its stance on the subject known. However, what I believe the film does brillantly is deliver its intended message without forcing it down viewers throats. We see too many films these days based around “being gay” or “being transgender”, instead of delivering a film which just so happens to have a gay or transgender character. While Palmer does give us Sam, a young boy who just so happens to like princesses and enjoys wear makeup, it is sometimes an after thought in the story, especially considering everything else the boy is faced with in his young life. I applaud the approach Palmer takes on the issue.
The movie tends to be slow paced at times, especially through the first half, but viewers are left with enough questions needing answers to keep them interested. And by the time those questions are answered, the story really starts to deliver the punches. Timberlake is impressive as Palmer, as we first see him disciplined and emotionally disconnected from his time in prison, to more of a protected figure at times unleashing his violent anger. The chemistry on screen between Timberlake and Ryder Allen (Sam) is endearing, and while Timberlake is a father himself, one is left to wonder how much of his own experiences of fatherhood went in to developing his character. And while Timberlake delivers the intenisty, Allen steals every scene with his naivety, despite the tragic conditions he is raised in.
Palmer will definitely have you on a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute I was screaming at the screen with utter frustration and the next, I was in tears. There are many layers of the story but ultimately, it is about acceptance, love and finding a purpose. And what better purpose is there then caring and helping those who need it most?
