July 17th 2024.
JD Vance, the Republican nominee for Vice President, is not your typical politician. Before he entered the political arena, he wrote a memoir that was later adapted into a Netflix film. This film, titled Hillbilly Elegy, was initially seen as a potential Oscar contender by the streaming platform. However, it received harsh criticism upon its release.
The movie is based on Vance's own life story, and it features an all-star cast and was directed by the renowned Ron Howard. Despite its promising elements, the film was considered one of the worst of 2020, with a dismal 25% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, things took a turn when Vance was chosen as the running mate for Donald Trump's campaign for US President.
Just hours after the announcement, the film shot up to the sixth spot on Netflix's charts in the US. Vance, who is an Iraq War veteran and self-proclaimed "hillbilly", grew up in poverty in the Rust Belt of America. He later attended Yale Law School and worked as a venture capitalist before becoming a senator for Ohio in 2022, making history as the first person without previous government experience to hold the position in nearly 50 years.
His memoir, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, was published in 2016 and became an instant bestseller. The book delves into Vance's difficult childhood, which was marked by poverty, abuse, and his mother's drug addiction. He and his sister were mainly raised by their grandparents, who also struggled with alcoholism. They had moved from the Appalachian region, one of the poorest areas in the US.
Netflix acquired the rights to the popular book in 2019 for a reported $45 million and brought on award-winning director Ron Howard to helm the project. The screenplay was adapted by Vanessa Taylor, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work on The Shape of Water. The cast included A-list actors such as Amy Adams and Glenn Close, both multiple-time Oscar nominees.
Despite the high expectations, the film received scathing reviews. Some critics even questioned why Adams and Close chose to be a part of such a poorly made movie. It was described as "flavorless" and "one of the worst movies of the year". However, it did manage to secure two Oscar nominations for make-up and hairstyling, and for Close as best supporting actress.
Interestingly, the film's viewership on Netflix increased by a staggering 1,179% on the day Vance was announced as the Republican nominee for Vice President, according to research from Luminate. It was watched for 19.2 million minutes, a significant jump from the previous day's 1.5 million minutes. The film received mixed reactions from audiences, with some praising its inspiring message while others found it unwatchable.
Today, Vance is just a few steps away from one of the most powerful positions in the world. He rose from poverty to potentially assume a position adjacent to immense power. He initially criticized Trump but later received his endorsement when he ran for senate. However, Vance's politics are controversial, and he has faced criticism for his stance on issues such as abortion, aid to Ukraine, and climate change.
Hillbilly Elegy is available to stream exclusively on Netflix. If you're interested in hearing more about Vance's journey, you can watch the film or read his memoir. But no matter what your opinion may be on his politics or the film itself, one thing is clear: JD Vance's story is one of determination, overcoming obstacles, and ultimately, success.
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