Free State of Jones (2016)

My Review

Matthew McConaughey delivered the role of a lifetime as anti-Confederate leader Newton Knight in “Free State of Jones.” McConaughey’s acting range and persona are a perfect fit as a man who organized Confederate defectors and freed slaves into a free entity centered in Jones County, Mississippi. In addition, local white voters opposed Mississippi and Confederate secession from the United States of America.

Director-screenwriter Gary Ross (“The Hunger Games” 2012) brilliantly constructed this movie with outstanding production values, memorable performances, and lucid writing. The supporting cast includes Keri Russell, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, Christopher Berry, Brian Lee Franklin, Jacob Lafland, Bill Tangradi, and Sean Bridgers. “Free State of Jones” was a major box office bomb for producer Gary Ross, Route One Entertainment, Bluegrass Films, Larger Than Life Productions, and STX Entertainment. It was filmed in New Orleans.