No. 10 (2021) PALMER . February 1st.

 

Film No. 10 (2021)  Feb. 1st.  4:40 PM   APPLE+TV,  Mt. Hawthorn, West Australia. 

"Listen to me son. Kids are mean, especially when they are seeing something that they aren't used to seeing." (Palmer offers up some serious advice to his young friend Sam about how other kids may be viewing him).

I've never rated Justin Timberlake as a convincing character actor. Is it the wooden look? Or is it simply a ploy by film-makers to attract a crowd because of his pop-star (NSYNC) quality. So while there are definitely wooden moments for Justin here in Palmer, he's totally suited to this role. Sam played by a young Ryder Allen steals the show however.

We meet Palmer on a bus travelling through the rural deep south. He's headed home after a stint in jail. We learn a little about his chequered past and the reason he paid a price, he makes no excuses, he's determined to move on. He returns to his grandma Vivian (June Squibb). She brought him up. His mother ran off when he was five and his much loved dad died before Palmer had completed school. We are ready for a ride with Palmer as he seeks his new start.

This new start, surprisingly, takes the form of Sam, a boy living in a trailer next door, who often comes under the care of Vivian due to the neglectful social habits of his mother Shelly (Juno Temple). The formula of a drama like Palmer soon kicks in. Palmer takes time to warm to Sam. Sam does not play the same way as most boys. He prefers the company of girls and loves dolls as toys. Palmer soon realizes Sam is mapping out his own path in life and he is a unique likable individual. But he's young, alone and gradually his isolation magnifies as inevitable story twists unfold. 

Palmer inherits guardianship of Sam, and while the usual tropes of discomfort are played out he becomes a loving mentor. But then there are the complications of custody, over protecting, falling in love and fighting for what's right. It's all a part of this made for T.V. formula drama. Does Palmer work the formula well enough? Yes it does, and I'll be less critical of Timberlake's ability as an actor from now on.  8GUMS.