‘The Rivals of Amziah King’ Review: An Uplifting Story of Bluegrass, Honey And Passion

Matthew McConaughey remains one of the silver screen’s most captivating and charming actors. Whether he finds himself slipping the surly bonds of earth or is earth-bound, affecting a smooth-talking stoner’s vibe, his natural swagger shows itself, and he uses it to great effect. His latest film, The Rivals of Amziah King, is another one of these outings. The story itself moves faster than a jackrabbit on a hot plate, blending genres and boasting a commanding cast. Capturing a lifestyle of the American heartland, this is a film fit for a king and a splendid good time that borders on inspirational and uplifting.

The honey business is front and center. It is more than buzzing bees, golden amber, and sweet scents. At the forefront of this business is Amziah King (McConaughey). He is a beekeeper with a Midas touch—a musician with perfect twang. A pillar of his community that all eyes look to. Yet everything changes for him when a chance meeting reunites him with his former foster daughter, Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass). Following the loss of her mother, she returns to Amziah by chance. Their reunion allows Amziah to become Kateri’s mentor while also fending off growing threats to his way of life.

There is a soft but persistent buzz to the film. It begins low, then transitions into a vibrant hum that invites us in. The welcoming is pleasant and homespun. An intricate beauty lies at the heart of the story, as much about the business of beekeeping as about community and family. A portrait of American life is on full display. One that is never Capra-esque and glossy, nor is it downtrodden and glum. It is frank, unbashful, dirt-under-the-fingernails, and proud.

Here is another case where McConaughey slips into his character. He projects a weariness and a hunger for learning that takes hold as the story develops and rapidly expands. Complementing McConaughey is LookingGlass, who makes her film debut and leaves a memorable impression. LookingGlass not only holds her own against names like McConaughey, but also Kurt Russell. She brings both a small-town charm and a worldly presence. She becomes the primary anchor of the story, particularly in the latter half, and for a relative unknown, she has the makings of a star.

At the heart of this film is a red-blooded, wholesome, and at times chaotic community. There is joy unbound even in tragedy. In fact, that is a word I keep returning to in the afterthought of the film. Joy. Even when the story diverges at points, and we may feel we have entered another story altogether, it ultimately circles back to that warm feeling. Many of the moments that elicit such feelings occur when a small group, anchored by McConaughey, breaks out the banjo, either on the front porch or in the living room; the music flows like whiskey, smooth and beautiful.

And so do the feelings of joy. The joy that can be found in simple pleasures of daily life, the pleasures of work, the pleasures of family and friends. For at the heart of this story is a community that stands in unison, hands open and hearts full.

Now, the film itself is a wonderful blend of both genres and tones. It begins with a bluegrass aura that quickly morphs into a family drama and coming-of-age story, before adding an element of a rural crime thriller. The targeting of King’s bee business becomes a focal point, driving much of the conflict and central tension. There is a big shock in the film that arrives midway through, and, to be honest, it comes off as jarring, but overall the effect has a significant impact on the narrative rather than shock for shock’s sake. What starts as a story of simple bluegrass pleasures morphs into a crime drama of stolen honey and cunning rivals. The result is an uplifting tale of a community and a singular determination in the face of insurmountable and gnarly odds.

The film manages drama and comedy well, and altogether, at times moving in simultaneous parts, it does make for a bit of a headrush. However, there is such earnestness in the performances and an indescribable humor that is never raucous but pleasant, giving us a warm feeling in the chest. As the story takes on a generational, legacy-reckoning quality, we find ourselves applauding.

Frankly, the real credit goes to the director and writer Andrew Patterson. This script is fast, and the energy is effusive because the blending of different tones and genres works, and the characters are fully realized. There’s kind of a documentary feel to the story, as we are privy to a small community going about its day-to-day life. For after all, isn’t life a slice of everything? Funny, surprising, comical, laxidsasical, sharp, quick-witted, and a matter of family.

A string quartet of cliches often accompanies the term feel-good. Still, here in The Rivals of Amziah King we find a film that defies the usual metrics to become an affirmative and positive story that is a little slice of Americana and a whole lot of heart.

The Rivals of Amziah King opens in theaters August 14th.