FINCH: AppleTV delivers one of the most heartwarming apocalyptic story of all time
AppleTV+ Directed by Miguel Sapochnik
Stars Tom Hanks and Caleb Landry Jones
Where to Watch: AppleTV
Listen, if you told me that a movie set in the post apocalyptic Earth- where we follow Tom Hanks, his dog, and his newly built robot, would take me on an emotional rollercoaster. I'd have chuckled, and said "yeah sure." Don't get me wrong, I was excited for Finch after all, AppleTV's history to this part has been filled with hits and the trailer showed an adventure that definitely would keep me invested- I just didn't realize the emotional investment that would become of it.
On a post-apocalyptic Earth, a robot, built to protect the life of his dying creator's beloved dog, learns about life, love, friendship, and what it means to be human
The strongest factor going for Finch, versus apocalyptic movies we've seen in the past- is the amount of heart in its script. After all the entire premise around the film is that Tom Hanks' titular character is dying from radiation- and therefore creates a robot, Jeff, to take care of the one thing that's kept him going throughout the end of the world, his dog. The story succeeds because rather than focusing on death and overcoming the end of humanity as we know it, we get a much more lighthearted story as Finch teaches Jeff all about friendships, trust, and all the beautiful parts of humanity. Rather than living down in the crushing sadness of what had come, Finch even in his final days on earth- decides to look on the bright side as his creation is taught about all the positive things that come with being a human. Its this uplifting message, and this amount of heart that makes Finch stick out alongside its subgenre counterparts.
The film doesn't have endless stakes, and there isn't a ton of story to tell within its 115 minute runtime- but it doesn't need any of that to successfully tell the story it does have. The film effectively garners the viewers investment without a need for a complex story, or massive never before seen stakes, it does so by effectively using monologue to tell where Finch has come from, and the things he has seen throughout the end of the world, and most importantly by allowing Finch and Jeff to bond, the movie is at its best when the two are interacting, bonding, and growing trust as they go upon their adventure.
Hanks does what he does best, he hits every single emotional note from the highs to the lows. He makes the viewer grow attached to his character knowing full well that his health is declining rapidly- while holding onto false hope that wherever the journeys end is, that Hanks will be there alive and well. He's done it before where he's worked as the only human character, so everyone knew Hanks had it in him- but to see him pull it off again, growing this tight friendship with the robot character. Speaking about our robot friend, Jeff, Caleb Landry Jones is phenomenal as the voice behind the pieces of metal- he had me laughing throughout the entire runtime, and as he learns about emotions and humanity- the more his character learns, the more he begins to become humanlike in the way he processes his own feelings- the more we as the audience begin to feel the emotional weight of the emotions he is starting to process.
If you're going into this movie looking for something that will make you feel all the emotions, from happiness, to sadness, to everything in between- this is the movie for you. Just don't go in expecting a super plot driven story, and you will have the best time with where the destination takes you.
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