Tom Hanks is a national treasure who has starred in some of the most iconic films of all-time. I’m not sure anyone can argue with that. FINCH is another showcase for the phenomenal actor who somehow creates a hope and humanity that everyone desperately desires in themselves and in the world. I’m not sure FINCH is necessarily a good movie. But Tom Hanks is good and that seems to be enough.
Set on a post-apocalyptic earth, Finch (Hanks) dressed in his own radiation protection suit is scavenging what’s left in stores and meticulously marking off where he’s been on a detailed map. He’s got a small robotic dog-like companion that helps him in his work. But he has to be quick before any electrical sand storms might come his way or he’s in a race to get back to the safety of his bunkered home. His home is powered by the last remaining electrical windmill, on which he must constantly work maintenance. In his home he has a living dog named Goodyear, which doubles as some strong product placement. Finch is also finishing a robot creation, eventually named Jeff (voiced by Caleb Landry Jones), whose primary objective is to care for Goodyear.
Before Jeff is complete, the ragtag group must head out on a dangerous road trip from St. Louis to San Francisco before being completely swallowed up by an unsurvivable storm. While tall and strong in stature, Jeff is a new child-like creation who must learn simple tasks, such as walking, driving, and the fragility of living bodies. Finch likewise must find patience and kindness in his new role as a father-figure to his new creation if he wants his dog to survive the environmental harshness of the world.
Tender and humorous, FINCH has some of the makings, at least on paper, to be a homerun. Unfortunately, this isn’t new ground to tread. In almost all instances we’ve seen this sort of thing done better in something like I AM LEGEND or even Tom Hanks other lonely movie CASTAWAY. I like the idea of Jeff and I’m sure dog lovers will completely understand Finch’s motivation. But the fact remains, I still care more for Wilson the volleyball over any of the characters in FINCH.
Perhaps my initial gushing compliment on Tom Hanks is a bit hyperbole. But FINCH is nothing without Hanks. He owns the movie, and owns all the characters within it. The filmmakers know this, but the surrounding elements simply don’t hold up their end of the deal. A bit over-dramatic with long pauses and forced musical cues, FINCH feels as though it’s trying too hard to be more meaningful and emotional, stretching beyond its reach. FINCH is currently streaming on Apple TV and is perfectly adequate as a forgettable great performance piece from Mr. Tom Hanks.
